Renee Knight is a freelance writer and editor who's been covering the dental industry for 15 years. 

Renee Knight

	During the 17 years she’s spent in the dental industry, hygiene mentor Sarah Punnett has tried just about every varnish on the market. About a year ago, she began using the one her patients at Great Expressions Dental Centers like the most: Nupro White Varnish from Dentsply Sirona. It tastes better and it’s easier to apply, making the experience more pleasant for her patients while also saving her time.

	Here’s what hygiene mentor Sarah Punnett says about Nupro White Varnish

	Patients really like it. It’s not sticky and it stays in place. As a hygienist, I want something that’s really quick and easy to use. With Nupro White Varnish, it literally just takes a quick sweep across the front and back of the teeth to apply. Patients close and swallow and they’re out the door. They don’t have to stand at the sink to rinse and spit, and there’s a shorter wear time so they can quickly resume eating and drinking.

	I’ve used varnishes for six or seven years, and while patients like them better than rinses, they aren’t happy if the varnish I use makes their teeth look yellow or if it ends up peeling and clumping. Nupro White Varnish doesn’t do any of that. Patients also want something that tastes good, and they seem to like Nupro White Varnish’s Raspberry version the most. No matter the flavor, this varnish shows up white on their teeth and doesn’t leave their teeth feeling sticky like some of the other varnishes do.

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	Nupro White Varnish is portable, which is a feature I like. You don’t need cups or a sink, so you can take it with you to mobile clinics or to schools. It’s also really easy to place. I have an assistant who helps me in the office, and it’s so user friendly that it doesn’t matter which one of us applies it. You just wet the brush, apply and you’re done. It’s easy to implement and easy to work into a busy schedule. The amounts are just right, too. With other varnishes, you often end up with a lot left over.

Before we invested in Nupro White Varnish, we had to carry many different types of fluoride for our different types of patients. This varnish enabled us to get rid of everything else. It’s good for the little ones because they don’t ingest as much or have to hold it in their mouths and spit, and it’s good for adults because it’s safe and easy to use around restored teeth and crowns. We don’t have to worry about patient age or if they’ll be able to follow instructions or if they have restorations. This varnish fits everybody.

	I also get better patient compliance. A lot more patients say “yes” because they don’t have to alter the way they go about their day afterward. Their teeth look and feel normal and they can eat right way.

	Nupro White Varnish offers plenty of benefits for patients and hygienists. Patients like the flavor and the look of this varnish, and it feels better in their mouth. It’s easy to apply and user friendly. You might want to keep different flavors on hand, but as far as the delivery system, you have one and it covers everybody. Using this varnish really is a no-brainer.

Articles

Why one hygiene mentor prefers using this varnish from Dentsply Sirona over others. 

The benefits of Nupro White Varnish

	Dr. Gregg Fink has put his trust in composites from Tokuyama Dental America for more than 10 years, so it made sense for him to incorporate Estelite Bulk Fill Flow into his practice, Dental Arts of Delaware, when it was released in late 2017.

	Because it’s so new, he’s only had the opportunity to use the material for a short time, but he says he’s already experienced the benefits the new bulk fill material has to offer. For instance, with this material there’s no need for a capping layer for restorations of up to 4 mm, which leads to faster, more efficient procedures at Dr. Fink’s general family practice - and that benefits both him and his patients.

	What Dr. Fink says about Estelite Bulk Fill Flow

 in my practice since it was released in the third quarter of 2017. The material comes from a company I trust and one that is well regarded by independent researchers. Not only that, the composites I’ve used from Tokuyama over the course of my career are reasonably priced and dependable. They’ve always worked very well and have held up over time. Bulk fills are starting to gain acceptance in the dental world, so I knew if Tokuyama developed a product that fit into the bulk fill category, it would be a product that I would want to try.

Read more: Double Take: 'Estelite Sigma Quick makes doing dentistry for the dentist easier..."

	So far, the material has brought a variety of benefits to my practice. First, there’s the speed of the procedure. The material cuts down how much time each procedure takes to complete by a few minutes, which can really add up over the course of a day. It’s also very easy to use and adapts to the shape of your preparation very nicely. The material features good flow and good adaptability, and it is easy to dispense exactly where you need it. This all leads to time savings. It also polishes up really nicely.

The benefits Estelite Bulk Fill Flow offers also extend to my patients. Because the procedure is shorter, patients spend less time in the chair. That means they don’t have to keep their mouths open as long, helping to lessen any soreness they might experience after the procedure. The material also makes it easier for me to complete multiple restorations at the same time, again reducing the amount of time patients have to spend in the chair.

	Using this material doesn’t change the flow of how you perform a typical composite procedure, which I like. There’s no need to use multiple compules of composite for the same restoration, which is common with other bulk fills. You don’t have to spend time going back and forth between a flowable that adapts and a posterior hybrid composite. It really is just a more efficient way to place restorations.

	While I’ve only used this bulk fill material for a short time, I have to say so far so good. I plan to continue to use Estelite Bulk Fill Flow in my practice and to keep tracking how it performs over time. Overall, Estelite Bulk Fill Flow is easy to use and makes composite procedures more efficient. And, of course, the material is backed by a company that consistently receives high rankings from independent researchers, making it a product I know I can trust.

How this bulk fill composite leads to efficient procedures and reliable restorations.

The benefits of Estelite Bulk Fill Flow

	The team at Northside Dental in Santa Fe, New Mexico, is always looking for ways to improve communication with their patients - which is why they decided to invest in Solutionreach

 helps them better educate their patients about the importance of maintaining their oral health and enables them to deliver the highest level of patient care, Service Coordinator Aurora Linehan says. Through automated appointment reminders, patient education tools and a variety of other features, the software streamlines patient communication and makes the office more efficient. Linehan describes it as like having another front office person who is there to make sure nothing ever falls through the cracks. 

	We recently spoke with Linehan about the many benefits Solutionreach offers both the practice and the practice’s patients. 

Related reading: The evolution of patient communication

	What Solutionreach features do you like best? 

	We use just about all the features in the software, but I do have my favorites. For instance, we have a large Spanish-speaking population, and Solutionreach allows us to customize the reminders to be in Spanish. We also enjoy Conversations, which is a feature that lets us text any number and lets any number text our office phone number. We can communicate with patients about appointment times, health history and any questions we have for them or any questions they have for us. All the information shared is protected, giving us another way to communicate with patients while staying HIPAA compliant. 

Related article: 9 important tips for communicating with your patients

	How has Solutionreach benefited your practice? 

	Solutionreach has benefited us in many ways. It has made our office more efficient and helps us focus more on what’s going on in the office instead of calling to remind patients of appointments. Solutionreach emails, calls or texts every patient automatically to remind them of an appointment, and it automatically sends continuing care reminders to patients who are past due. This allows us to focus more on treatment and the patients who are here in the office, rather than making phone calls. 

	How much time does Solutionreach save you each day?

	Considering I have to call from multiple lists, it saves me quite a bit of time. I’d say two to three hours a day at least. I’m able to use that time to do other tasks, such as charting, preparing for future appointments and making other phone calls. 

	How does Solutionreach benefit the patient?

	Our patients love having different options to communicate with us because they all have busy lives. Most don’t have time to call the office, or they can’t be on the telephone at work. They like to email us or text us directly to schedule an appointment or ask questions. 

	There’s also an online scheduling feature that lets patients pick a day and time for their appointment without going back and forth with us. With this feature, they can view past or future appointments or pay bills online. 

	A few patients have mentioned they really like the text reminders. They don’t realize it’s automated, so they feel like we’re personally reaching out to remind them of their appointment. They like the personal touch. 

	We can customize reminders to go out as often as patients would like to be reminded. They’ll get one reminder at least two days before the appointment, so they’ll have time to call and make a change or reply to the message directly to reschedule if they need to, allowing us to fix the schedule. We have found that patients show up more often when they get more constant reminders through their communication method of choice. 

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	How does Solutionreach help improve patient education?

	We love to make sure our patients are educated about everything going on in their mouths so that they can make better, more informed decisions concerning their dental health. Through Solutionreach, we can send newsletters to specific patients based on what’s in their treatment plan and educate them more on why it’s a good idea to get the recommended procedure done, or just broaden their dental knowledge overall. Most patients don’t know too much about how the mouth affects the rest of the body, and providing information through a newsletter helps with that. 

	Why would you encourage other offices to invest in Solutionreach as well?

	It will help them improve communication with their patients and provide patient education in different ways. It also boosts productivity and office efficiencies. 

	Also, the customer service with Solutionreach has been on point. Everyone we’ve communicated with has been very thorough, knowledgeable, kind and willing to help. Solutionreach provides community blogs, webinars and educational sites, so there are places we can go to ask questions and get answers. The learning tools and discussion boards have been really helpful.

How one dental office is using Solutionreach to improve patient communication as well as practice efficiencies.

How to simplify patient communication

	Until about a year ago, the team members at the Idaho-based CMR Dental Lab outsourced all their 3D printing. That worked well for a while, but as the lab continued to grow and as 3D printing became a larger part of their workflow, they decided it was time to invest in their own units.

	After doing some research, it became clear the Formlabs 

 founder Matt Roberts says. He has since purchased five systems and couldn’t be happier with the customer service he’s received from the company as well as with the results the printers provide. 

Related article: Why the future looks bright for 3D printing

	We recently talked with Roberts about how his lab, which specializes in large cosmetic cases, benefits from using Formlabs 3D printers.

	Why did you decide to invest in 3D printers from Formlabs? 

	The cost to value ratio is good and they print accurately. I like the small size and by having more than one unit, I can print batches several times a day. I can do multiple cycles rather than just one load or cycle over a 24-hour period. And there are a multitude of materials I can use with the printers. 

	I’m a small- to medium-sized lab, so spending $80,000 on two or three different printers was more investment than I wanted to make. The printers from Formlabs fill what we were looking for nicely. They offer a good price point and the quality we receive is really nice. 

	How are you using the 3D printers in your lab? 

	Digital impressions have become more common among our dental clients. To make a physical model from the impressions, we use the 3D printing model materials and dyes. That has worked out really well. The printers work in conjunction with our 

 software seamlessly, letting us fabricate models for cases with digital impressions. 

Related article: 7 ways 3D printing is changing everything

	When doing the diagnostic design for cases to pre-plan treatment, the output of the initial digital design can be printed as well, rather than creating a diagnostic 

. We can print a combined model of the digital design that looks clean and nice to patients. It polishes up nicely and, with a little hand finishing, looks realistic. In addition to that, we’re also starting to make bite splints. Although we’re early into that process, it looks promising.

	What benefits have the printers offered your lab?

	Now that we have the printers on site, it’s much more convenient. We can print much more quickly. 

 can be used for a multitude of different applications in dentistry. We can print surgical guides for implant placement. After doing 3D planning based on CAT scans, we can print models of the restorations. We can print combination models that combine digital design with existing dentition. We can print orthodontic appliances. There’s just an endless array of things that we can do. 

	For example, a lot of times when a patient is finishing up orthodontic treatment, we take photos of that patient and then take a 3D scan while the brackets are still on and the wires are still in place. Then, we put a 3D image on top of the facial photography and place teeth to analyze what would look best for the patient. We then change the translucency of the image and look at the existing teeth underneath to see if they’re in the right place. If they’re not, we can print something so the orthodontist understands where the teeth need to be moved based on the facial esthetic values. That’s just one of the many things we’re using the printer for. 

Related article: The future of digital dentistry

	This really is a nice cost to value printer, and a nice entry-level system into 3D printing.

	How do you see this technology benefiting your lab in the future? 

	Everything comes in via email with digital impressions or via UPS if there’s a physical model. The Formlabs printers are going to give us a new market niche of doing digital design and then enabling clients to print on site in their own office. 

	We can do the design here and then point it back at a Formlabs printer setup, and let a bite splint or surgical guide print on site. This will eliminate shipping costs and save time, making it possible for patients to start treatment even sooner. We’re not using that yet because we don’t have any clients with a Formlabs printer in their office, but it’s coming. We’ve talked to several clients about the possibility, and many are excited by the thought of printing diagnostic models and bite splints in their own office. 

How one dental lab is using multiple Formlabs 3D printers to improve workflows as well as outcomes.

Making 3D printing more convenient

	Pat Martin, RDH, has used ultrasonic scalers throughout her more than 30-year dental career. Most of that time, she’s worked in Dr. Andrew Inge’s office in Pennsylvania and has depended on Cavitron

 Ultrasonic Scaling Systems from Dentsply Sirona.

	The Cavitron scaling systems provide many benefits to both her and her patients.

	What hygienist Pat Martin says about Cavitron and the benefits of ultrasonic scaling

	Over the course of my career, I have seen many changes in the way we practice dental hygiene. One of the greatest advances is the routine implementation of ultrasonic scaling. As a 1980s graduate of dental hygiene school, it took me a long time to embrace the idea of regularly using ultrasonics. We were taught it was only for “gross” scaling for heavy calculus, and the only way to effectively approach scaling and root planing was with hand instrumentation. The inserts were large and the units were not easily accessible.

Read more: Dentsply Sirona introduces CEREC Essentials

	Fortunately, through advances in science, technology and design, we now know about the many advantages of ultrasonic instrumentation. Ultrasonic cavitation is able to disrupt the bacterial biofilm more effectively than hand scaling.  

	I’ve relied on Cavitron systems for most of my career and found that they’re very dependable. The Cavitron system I currently use has a Dual Select option for medicament delivery that can be used for irrigation during scaling procedures. I’ve tried other brands and there’s a definite difference. The systems also have incorporated several unique ergonomic enhancements for the hygienist. For instance, the lightweight handpiece cable is designed to reduce strain on my wrists  so that I can continue to work for many years. There’s also a wireless foot pedal with Tap-On Technology, which turns on the system with a single foot tap.

	Cavitron also offers many benefits for my patients. They spend less time in the chair listening to the sound of calculus and stain being removed. Patients love how quickly they can feel the difference, especially in the lower anterior areas. Utilizing ultrasonics produces less trauma to the tissue and tooth structure; there’s also less pressure applied to the patient’s jaw due to the lighter grasp. Patients who present with implants like the fact we’re taking the time to clean them safely with the specialized implant insert.

	Knowing my patients are comfortable during their hygiene visits is very important to me. Not only do I want my patients to look forward to their hygiene appointment, but I want them to leave feeling good about the experience. This tends to enhance their compliance with treatment recommendations and makes them more likely to return for their recare appointments.

	Using a Cavitron system for ultrasonic scaling makes patient treatment time more efficient. Hygienists no longer “just clean teeth.” The role of the hygienist has evolved to primary oral healthcare provider. Blood pressure screenings, risk assessments for dental caries and periodontal disease, and comprehensive medical history reviews are just a few of the many assessments included in every appointment.

	Additionally, the ultrasonic inserts I use have greatly changed over the years. Earlier in my career, we basically had two - a wide flat insert and a “universal” insert. We now know that more than one insert is needed to achieve effective outcomes. The older generation inserts were primarily used to remove heavy supragingival calculus. Fortunately, the designs have changed, with thinner and curved designs allowing access into deeper pockets for both calculus and biofilm disruption. The Cavitron systems have made this change perfectly.

	It’s important to utilize the appropriate insert for the varying levels of deposit. I use a thicker insert to remove moderate to heavy deposits and follow up with slimline inserts. I also prefer the FitGrip™ design of the ultrasonic inserts.

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	Cavitron has been very dependable over the years, and to me, the Cavitron scaling systems are the premier scaling unit.

	What Dr. Andrew Inge says about Cavitron

	I have three observations about the Cavitron scaling systems. First, they do a great job. Second, our patients love them. Patients who haven’t had their teeth cleaned in a long time and who have heavy calculus often express their surprise at how easy the process has become. Third, I personally like them when I’m the patient. I’m probably one of only a few dentists who doesn’t like having my teeth cleaned, and I appreciate the gentleness and good results provided by the Cavitron scaling systems.

Why one hygienist prefers to use the Cavitron systems when it comes to treating patients.

I Use That: Cavitron Ultrasonic Scaling Systems

	Dr. Ed Suh recently had the chance to try the new Planmeca Emerald™ intraoral scanner in his practice. He was impressed by how easy it was to use, its fast scan times and the accuracy it provided-and so he is purchasing the Planmeca Emerald.

	He’s used the Planmeca CAD/CAM system routinely for about 10 years, and investing in the upgraded scanner will only make the process even more efficient for his team and more comfortable for his patients. 

	What Dr. Suh says about the Planmeca Emerald intraoral scanner 

	When I invested in the Planmeca CAD/CAM system (Planmeca FIT) about 10 years ago, I planned to delegate the use of the technology to my team members. That meant I needed to find a system that was easy for them to use, and Planmeca offered that. So, when I first used the Emerald intraoral scanner, I hadn’t scanned a case in three or four years. For somebody who doesn’t routinely scan, the scan speed is pretty phenomenal for a full arch and bite. It’s a very fast, efficient camera system.  

	We absolutely know that with traditional impressions, it would take about three and a half minutes each to complete both arches and the bite, so you’re looking at patients having material in their mouths for eight to 10 minutes. Scans are much faster, and patients don’t have to deal with the goo or gag reflex. When you take digital scans, you don’t have to worry about the inaccuracy that comes with impression materials. The chances of sending an inaccurate scan to the lab are slim to none. It’s completely video capture, so you take a video stream of the dentition and then send it off to the lab. 

	Not only is the Emerald fast and efficient, it’s also small and comfortable to hold. This makes it easy for beginners to use the technology. For anybody who has experience scanning, the Emerald streamlines the process, making it easier to implement into the practice. 

	Most of the industry is recognizing the benefits of this technology; it’s just a matter of figuring out which digital system to incorporate into your practice. Right now, everything is being piecemealed together. That’s the beauty of the Planmeca system. These Planmeca products allow me to take a holistic approach to treatment by offering everything from 2D to 3D and CAD/CAM.  The open system incorporates every aspect of dentistry and easily works with other systems. I also use a fully embedded practice management software with Dentrix. Its centralized database houses everything I do clinically for my patients. There’s no importing or exporting of data; I have everything that I need in one piece of software.

	My practice is now completely streamlined for my team members. When you add the Planmeca Emerald, you’re looking at technology that’s going to be even easier to implement because the camera is smaller and because it’s so much faster. In our opinion, there is not a digital impression system that’s this fast and efficient on the market today, period. It’s a pretty phenomenal product.

One doctor’s take on the intraoral scanner and Planmeca CAD/CAM.Dr. Ed Suh recently had the chance to try the new Planmeca Emerald™ intraoral scanner in his practice. He was impressed by how easy it was to use, its fast scan times and the accuracy it provided-and so he is purchasing the Planmeca Emerald.

The benefits of the Planmeca Emerald intraoral scanner

	When Dr. Paul Bylis uses the Palodent Plus Sectional Matrix System from Dentsply Sirona in his Maryland practice, he knows he’s going to get an excellent result for his patients. The recipe the system provides just works, giving him consistent, reliable outcomes.

	After using the original BiTine Rings for years, Dr. Bylis made the switch to the Palodent system in 2011, and he couldn’t be happier with his decision.

	What Dr. Bylis says about the Palodent Plus Sectional Matrix System

 developed all the parts extremely well. The Palodent Plus Sectional Matrix System offers the whole package. As long as you follow the procedures they’ve laid out, you’re going to get excellent results.

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	The system has wedge guards that prevent you from damaging adjacent teeth, which is a useful upgrade. Abrading an adjacent tooth is a risk, no matter the quality of magnification and lighting. Knowing that the only thing I can possibly nick is the wedge guard gives me a sense of comfort and peace of mind throughout the procedure.  

	The wedging system is very passive. Its contoured V shape design ensures that it won’t damage the tissue. They’re stackable, so I have the option of stacking them on top of each other. If not, I can also come in from the buccal lingual and have proper contour of the teeth without any overhangs. The sectional matrix bands are color coded and have a nice natural contour to them that make it possible to get anatomically correct contacts.

	The rings don’t cause any issues with the shape of the proximal box; I always get a contoured and anatomically correct restoration. The rings also don’t take up a lot of arch space. If I’m using an isolation device and have a tight working environment, it’s great to be able to use a ring that isn’t too large. You can stack them side by side and consistently create nice, tight contacts.

	This, of course, offers benefits for my patients. Any dentist who follows this recipe can achieve a restoration that I feel will last many years longer than some current studies suggesting seven to 10 years of service. Restorations are extremely difficult to perform correctly, so it’s important that dentists do the basics well.

	When I was starting out, we used silver fillings, which are very forgiving. The environment could be moist and they’d still be OK. They actually sealed better over time due to the corrosive effects. With composite restorations, any basic part of the formula that’s missing can shorten the restoration’s life immensely.

	Lack of proper banding, proper environment, proper choice of material and stress on the tooth can shorten the restoration’s life-especially if it is a Class II where you must seal the box. It’s very important to have products that help you achieve a reliable, consistent result that can be reproduced all day long. The Palodent Plus System does that for me.

More from the author: The technology behind electric handpieces

	Investing in this system is a no-brainer. Palodent Plus enables you to do what’s best for your patients and provide them with long-lasting restorations. It gives you proper contouring and banding and sealed margins, which leads to more predictable results. I find you can consistently practice dentistry at a higher standard with Palodent Plus, which is something I haven’t been able to do with other systems. This product is a game changer, and it’ll lead to more clinicians achieving high-level results






One doctor’s take on the benefits the Palodent Plus Sectional Matrix System from Dentsply Sirona offers his patients and practice.When Dr. Paul Bylis uses the Palodent Plus Sectional Matrix System from Dentsply Sirona in his Maryland practice, he knows he’s going to get an excellent result for his patients. The recipe the system provides just works, giving him consistent, reliable outcomes.

How Palodent Plus enables you to do what’s best for your patients

	Getting kids to brush their teeth-and to brush them properly-sure isn’t easy. It just isn’t high on their list of things they want to do in a day, and most would skip it all together if they could.

	Of course, kids typically don’t understand the consequences of ignoring their oral health. All they know is brushing isn’t exactly fun; it’s just another boring chore their parents want them to finish before bed or before they head off to school.

Check out Listerine's Office Essentials program for free patient samples, helpful resources and more!

	That’s where oral health care professionals and parents come in. It’s important for you to work together to figure out ways to make kids actually 

to brush their teeth. For the oral health care professional, that usually means educating the parents as well as the child and focusing on teaching them how to make brushing fun.

	“Brushing is something they have to do, and kids don’t like that,” says Sarah Thiel, RDH, CEO and co-founder of CE Zoom. “Kids are kids and are going to do what they want, but I believe a lot of it is on the parent. If parents get lazy, kids can develop bad habits. You have to teach them. It’s not just about cavities, it’s about overall health. If they develop gingivitis, it can affect their whole system.”

	Thiel spends a lot of time educating parents in her practice and wants them to be part of the appointment any time she’s working on a patient younger than 18. She shows them areas their child might be missing, and what those areas look like before they’re properly cleaned and what they look like after. She encourages parents to make a habit of checking their children’s teeth after they brush and to go back over any spots they might have missed.

	Many parents are focused on the costs associated with dental issues their children develop, Thiel says. While that can be a motivating factor to get kids to brush-especially for teenage patients whose parents told them they’ll have to help cover the bill-it isn’t the most important. Sure, cost is part of the conversation, but Thiel focuses on educating parents about what cavities or other problems might mean for the child’s overall health.

	“They’re always concerned their child is going to have cavities or have to get a shot, but most don’t realize the overall health issue,” she says. “If the child has an infection in their mouth, it’s more important to educate them about what can happen if the infection stays and spreads, and if they don’t keep their teeth clean. A lot of people forget our mouths are connected to our bodies, and bacteria in our mouth affects our heart and everything else.”  

, suggests you start the education as early as possible. Make sure moms-to-be understand how inflammation can affect their pregnancy and the importance of maintaining the child’s oral health once he or she is born. This includes educating the mom on how valuable baby teeth are, the possible consequences of not caring for those teeth and how to make proper nutritional choices.

Related reading: What parents NEED to know about keeping their children's teeth healthy

	Find out what motivates the mom, Turchetta says, and she’ll be more likely to make oral health care a priority for both herself and her child.  

	“Nutrition has to play a bigger role. It’s also important for moms to understand how effective tooth brushing is at removing plaque and how proper brushing will help ensure children don’t experience the pain of a toothache. They’ll have better grades and more social acceptance,” Turchetta says. “You set them up for success when you install the habit of brushing their teeth early. When a child lives in an environment where healthy choices are made for them at an early stage of life, they will embrace that habit as their own.”

	No matter how much education you provide, it won’t do a lot of good if the child still doesn’t brush. For that to happen, you and the parents have to find a way to make brushing fun and something the child actually looks forward to each day.

	One way to do this is to simply buy a new toothbrush, says Ethel Hagans, RDH. Let kids choose a toothbrush that features one of their favorite characters, maybe Spiderman or a Disney princess, and they’ll be much more likely to want to use it. Some brushes even play music, which helps keep kids engaged and brushing for the full two minutes. For older kids, encourage them to pick out the color they want or even suggest they try out an electric toothbrush.

	It’s also important to find a toothpaste they like, Hagans says. Some of the minty pastes are just too harsh, making brushing an unpleasant experience. Recommend fruity flavors for children to try, or encourage parents to take them on a trip to the drugstore to pick out their paste and their brush.

More from the author: Are electric toothbrushes REALLY better than manual toothbrushes? 

	Brushing your teeth is not a chore, yet it can feel like one to a child, Turchetta says. Parents have the opportunity to spin this “chore” and score by helping kids make it a healthy habit. Start by acknowledging their success and the progress they make every time they brush. Create a goal for them to continue to reach.

	For example, every time they brush for so many days in a row without being reminded, give them a sticker, money, a new toy or maybe a new pair of shoes, depending on their age and what motivates them. Who doesn’t like positive reinforcement over “nagging?”

	Thiel sings songs with her 4-year-old son to get him excited about brushing. She lets him brush first, then she helps because he has a difficult time reaching his molars. They sing two songs, which not only makes brushing more fun, but it also helps ensure he brushes for the full two minutes.

	And keep in mind brushing doesn’t only have to happen in the bathroom or at the end of the day when kids are tired, Turchetta says. Have kids brush their teeth while doing their homework, or keep a toothbrush in the kitchen. This makes it easy for kids to brush right after a meal without having to head to the bathroom.

	While educating parents and making brushing fun are important parts of getting kids to pick up that toothbrush, you have to spend time educating children as well, Thiel says. Thiel tells her younger patients about the bugs that live on their teeth. She shows them pictures of what those bugs look like and the damage they can cause. This works with younger kids who don’t like the idea of bugs living in their mouth, but it isn’t always effective with pre-teens and teenagers. With older kids, it’s better to focus on the painful shots they’ll want to avoid, and how bad breath and other dental issues might have a negative impact on their social lives and their academic performance in school.

	Hagans focuses on complimenting older kids on their beautiful smile and how important brushing is to keeping their smile healthy and bright. With younger kids, she asks them about their favorite candy and explains that because the candy has so much sugar, they have to brush twice a day if they want to eat that candy. When she tells them, “If you do this, then you also must do that,” most kids understand.

	No matter what age the child is, it’s important to realize they’re all different. What might work for one 6-year-old girl might not work for another. Focus on finding what motivates each child and brushing will become a habit he or she will enjoy rather than a chore he or she would rather skip.  

	“You only get two sets of teeth in life,” Hagans says. “It’s good to start off doing as much as you can with your first set to develop that healthy brushing habit or technique, so that when you get to your second set you’re pretty much on track."






Hygienists and parents weigh in on this important-and sometimes frustrating-topic.Getting kids to brush their teeth-and to brush them properly-sure isn’t easy. It just isn’t high on their list of things they want to do in a day, and most would skip it all together if they could.

How to ACTUALLY get kids to brush their teeth

	Polishing is no longer just about the esthetic benefits like removing stains-it’s also about removing biofilm. That’s why Nancy Miller, RDH, began using the AIR-FLOW Handy 3.0 Premium handheld air polishing device from Hu-Friedy about three years ago. The portable unit does both, which benefits both her and her patients.

	What first attracted you to AIR-FLOW Handy 3.0 Premium?

	In the last 15 years or so, we’ve learned so much more about what plaque is in terms of biofilm. It’s really a whole community that defies disruption and removal, and that means instrumentation of the past isn’t enough. There are so many nooks and crannies on teeth and around implants and restorations, it’s difficult to totally remove everything.

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	The idea behind AIR-FLOW is to go in with a pressure washer, like you would if you were restaining your deck. You could try to use a brush and scrub and prep the deck by hand, but it wouldn’t be as effective as a pressure washer. 

 more efficiently removes biofilm from all the little intriguing spots we have in our mouths.

	How does using this device make your job easier?

	We depended on rubber cup polishing for many years, which has its pros and cons. That method removed biofilm, but supragingival only. Rubber cup polishing takes more time and doesn’t go subgingival. By using this device, I can more efficiently and effectively take off soft deposits and light stains before using different instruments to remove hard deposits. Doing that at the beginning saves me five to 10 minutes of instrument time at the end of the appointment. That time is so valuable when you only have an hour with the patient.  

	What is the benefit of polishing at the beginning of the appointment instead of at the end?

	From the patient’s perspective, polishing is cosmetic and it’s important to them because they want nice looking teeth. From our perspective as clinicians, we’re trying to heal and to promote good oral health, so it’s more important to do a thorough job of removing the biofilm. It’s easier to take the soft deposits off with AIR-FLOW than it is with hand instruments. You can get the whole mouth clean with AIR-FLOW, and then remove what’s left with a hand instrument or an ultrasonic scaler.

	I like to say this isn’t your grandmother’s air polisher. In the past when we used an air polisher, it was gritty and not so pleasant for the patient. AIR-FLOW uses Glycine Powder, which is a smaller particle size than what was used when the focus was on just stain removal. Because of the smaller particle size, we can aim the spray right at the gum tissue. If we did that before, it would lead to bleeding and could even damage dental work. Now, we can use AIR-FLOW around titanium implants and the beautiful dentistry we have today without damaging surfaces. It’s also more comfortable for the patient. It doesn’t hurt and it’s not messy.

	After a polishing, patients don’t say their mouth feels squeaky clean anymore; they say it feels silky clean. AIR-FLOW removes biofilm and stains and buffs the surface of their teeth. They can feel that with their tongue. They get a super clean feeling and it doesn’t take as much time.

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	Why should other hygienists use the AIR-FLOW Handy?

	I encourage hygienists to work smarter, not harder. Why make your hands and wrists work harder with hand instruments when you have a power tool that can speed up the process? It’s a paradigm shift.

	This is the latest tool in the battle against biofilm. If we’re really talking about healing and being efficient, it’s critical to use this device.

One hygienist’s take on the benefits of Hu-Friedy’s AIR-FLOW Handy 3.0 Premium, a handheld air polishing device.

Double Take: "AIR-FLOW Handy 3.0 more efficiently removes biofilm…”

	Dr. Bart Whitesell never thought he would incorporate an electric handpiece into his practice. As a dentist who’s been practicing for about 30 years, he’s a creature of habit, and he was content with the air-driven handpiece he already had. So when he agreed to try the Contra-Angle EVO.15 electric handpiece from Bien-Air as a courtesy to the sales rep, he had no intention of actually purchasing it.

	Almost a year later, Dr. Whitesell uses the handpiece in his practice every day. He was immediately impressed with the torque, the quiet operation and how easily it cut. Now, he can’t imagine practicing without it.

	“Putting it in my hand made all the difference in the world. Actually using it sold the product,” Dr. Whitesell says. “Patients don’t like the sound of the drill, and this handpiece is much quieter than a traditional air-driven handpiece. The fiber optics are very good and even though it’s larger than a traditional air-driven handpiece, it’s comfortable to hold.”

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spent about two years developing the handpiece, with R&D, industrialization, quality, manufacturing and assembling, supply chain, marketing and product management all involved in the process, says Joël Poget, vice president of global product management and OEM business for Bien-Air. They wanted to provide dentists with an electric handpiece that was not only easy to use and that cut efficiently, but that also enhanced patient safety.

	The technology behind the handpiece meets all those needs, Poget says, and enables dentists to efficiently perform a variety of procedures without worrying about accidently burning the patient.

	“The great added value of such a project is the ability of Bien-Air to listen to the market needs and translate them into a new product,” Poget says. “The perfect collaboration between all the company’s departments is also a key success factor.”

	As more dentists turn to electric handpieces for a variety of procedures, patient burns caused by these handpieces are becoming more common, Poget says. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as well as other national public health authorities have reported an increase in these injuries, according to the 

“Letter to Electric Dental Handpiece Manufacturers Regarding Reports of Overheating and Patient Burns.”

	The most severe incidents have led to painful third-degree burns that require patients to have reconstructive surgery. When this happens, Poget says, dentists are often subjected to lengthy legal actions that cost them both time and money.

	“In dental procedures making use of electric handpieces, the briefest contact between the instrument’s push-button and the patient’s inner-cheek causes the former to overheat, resulting in possible burn injuries,” Poget says. “While overheating can be an indication of a damaged or clogged instrument, laboratory evaluations reveal that this hazard is just as prevalent in new and properly maintained electric handpieces.”

	Bien-Air addressed this problem with its proprietary CoolTouch+ heat-arresting technology, which is available on the EVO.15 1:5 L models. The complex technology took years to develop, Poget says, and is proven not to exceed human body temperature. The handpiece’s heat arresting properties are made possible by a configuration of an alumina bead and a thermally-insulated ceramic push-button, and is the feature dentists who use the handpiece tend to appreciate most.

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	“This frontline technology exhibits an invariably safe temperature of the handpiece’s head, even in the most rigorous conditions,” Poget said. “It is engaged to protect both the patient and the clinician during some of the profession’s most frequently performed procedures.”

	Designed for accuracy and quiet operation

	The Accu-Chuck PreciPlus bur-retention and rotation drive mechanism, also available on the EVO.15 1:5 L models, not only features vibration-cancelling properties that reduce noise interference (a feature patients greatly appreciate), but it also allows for stability and accuracy regardless of speed and torque, Poget says.

	Torque and accuracy are the two key features Dr. Whitesell noticed the very first time he used the EVO handpiece, and are features he said makes his life as a dentist easier.

	“It has a lot of torque. If I have to cut off a crown or bridge, for example, it’s much quicker and more efficient than a traditional air-driven handpiece,” he says. “Patients don’t like to have the drill in their mouth and want to get the procedure over with as fast as possible. If you can save even two minutes of chair time, that’s a big deal for the patient.

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	During the development process, Bien-Air focused on creating a handpiece that was easy to use as well as ergonomic, Poget says. As part of Bien-Air’s Micro-Series line, the EVO handpiece’s light weight offers more balanced manipulation and reduced hand and wrist fatigue. The handpiece’s small, shockproof stainless steel head provides maneuverability and accessibility to third molars.

	Dr. Whitesell, who has used smaller air-driven handpieces for his entire career, says it only took him a few days to adjust to the EVO. While it’s a little bigger than what he was used to, it was still comfortable to hold from the very beginning.

	“The handpiece makes the dentist’s quality of life better,” Dr. Whitesell said. “It’s not going to take you as long to do your preparations, the patients are going to like it, and it’s going to save you a little bit of time.”

	When the team at Bien-Air designed the handpiece, they knew they needed to create a durable product that dentists like Dr. Whitesell could depend on. To achieve that, they fitted the handpiece with a specially designed rotor’s head, giving it a longer service life. The efficient fastening system also helps prevent adverse events linked to bur slippage, Poget says.

	Dr. Whitesell has used the EVO handpiece for almost a year now, and said he hasn’t had any problems or downtime since incorporating it into his practice. It’s a durable, reliable handpiece that gets the job done quickly, efficiently and consistently, and that benefits both him and his patients.

	“It’s the torque,” Dr. Whitesell says. “You use an air-driven handpiece more like an air brush. You hit the tooth in increments. With an electric handpiece, you can be more consistent because it’s not going to slow down when it touches tooth structure.”

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	While Dr. Whitesell never envisioned using an electric handpiece in his practice, he’s glad he decided to give the EVO handpiece a try. The handpiece’s technology keeps patients safer, shortens procedure times and enables him to cut accurately and efficiently. He knows he can depend on the handpiece and that patients will appreciate the quieter, smoother operation, as well as the final outcome.

	“With the speed in which you can prep teeth, you tend to have a little more time to look at your prep, and the overall procedure is a little bit slower because the handpiece is that much faster,” Dr. Whitesell said. “You’re spending more time staring at what you’re doing. That gives me better results.”

How the Contra-Angle EVO.15 electric handpiece from Bien-Air enhances efficiency and patient safety. 