Hygiene Tribune U.S. Edition

Do you have general comments or criti- cism you would like to share? Is there a particular topic you would like to see articles about in Hygiene Tribune? Let us know by e-mailing feedback@dental- tribune.com. We look forward to hearing from you! If you would like to make any change to your subscription (name, address or to opt out) please send us an e-mail at database@dental-tribune.com and be sure to include which publication you are referring to. Also, please note that sub- scription changes can take up to 6 weeks to process. Tell us what you think! HYGIENE TRIBUNE The World’s Dental Hygiene Newspaper · U. S. Edition Publisher & Chairman Torsten Oemus t.oemus@dental-tribune.com Chief Operating Officer Eric Seid e.seid@dental-tribune.com Group Editor & Designer Robin Goodman r.goodman@dental-tribune.com Editor in Chief Hygiene Tribune Angie Stone, RDH, BS a.stone@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor/Designer Implant, Endo & Lab Tribunes Sierra Rendon s.rendon@dental-tribune.com Managing Editor/Designer Ortho Tribune & Show Dailies Kristine Colker k.colker@dental-tribune.com Online Editor Fred Michmershuizen f.michmershuizen@dental-tribune. com Account Manager Mark Eisen m.eisen@dental-tribune.com Marketing Manager Anna Wlodarczyk a.wlodarczyk@dental-tribune.com Sales & Marketing Assistant Lorrie Young l.young@dental-tribune.com C.E. Manager Julia E. Wehkamp j.wehkamp@dental-tribune.com C.E. International Sales Manager Christiane Ferret c.ferret@dtstudyclub.com Dental Tribune America, LLC 116 West 23rd Street, Suite 500 New York, NY 10011 Tel.: (212) 244-7181 Fax: (212) 244-7185 Published by Dental Tribune America © 2011 Dental Tribune America, LLC All rights reserved. Hygiene Tribune strives to maintain utmost accuracy in its news and clinical reports. If you find a factual error or content that requires clarification, please contact Group Editor Robin Goodman at r.goodman@dental-tribune.com. Hygiene Tribune cannot assume responsibility for the validity of product claims or for typographical errors. The publisher also does not assume responsibility for product names or statements made by advertisers. Opinions expressed by authors are their own and may not reflect those of Dental Tribune America. As the calendar turned to 2011, many made resolutions about what they will or will not do in the new year. Things such as improv- ing health, managing time better or spending more time with family likely appeared on many people’s lists. While many partake in this tradition, very few actually follow through with their plan for the entire year. This happens for a number of reasons. The most likely reason is that resolutions are not well thought or planned out. Simply stating what will be done is not enough to ensure success. Defining why a particular goal is important, how the goal will be met and within what amount of time the goal will be reached assists with actual goal completion. While many resolutions are personal, I challenge readers to make a professional reso- lution. Reflect on your professional life from 2010. If your position is a clini- cal hygienist, assess your produc- tion: Are you as productive as you could be? Are the products you are utilizing as effective as they can be? Is your schedule as efficient as it should be? These are only a few examples of areas you could choose to reflect upon. After careful consideration, select one aspect that you want to improve upon in 2011. Document why this change or improvement is necessary. For example, an increase in production may be necessary in order to justify a raise. Incorporating a new product may improve patient oral health more successfully than a product the office has been utilizing for several years. A more efficient schedule may improve patient flow and satisfaction. Once you have selected an area for improvement and documented why this is necessary, document spe- cifically how you will accomplish the task. To increase production you may make a commitment to be sure each patient is up to date on his or her full mouth X-rays or Panorex X-rays. If you want to implement a new product to assist with caries reduc- tion, you may need to research dif- ferent products and make a decision about which one is best to imple- ment into your office. In order to make your schedule more efficient, rearranging existing appointments may be necessary. Next, document how long you feel it will take you to implement these changes. The three examples provid- ed would certainly not take a year to implement. Maybe you plan on a six-month completion date. Finally, it is also necessary to post the goal in an area where you can see it every day. Check in on your progress at predetermined intervals to be sure you are still on track. Once the goal has been achieved, decide what you will do next and repeat this process. Every successfully completed res- olution that you cross off your list will make it easier to complete the next one. Who knows, perhaps by this sum- mer, you may have achieved each of your new year resolutions and you will need to make a new list! HT Best Regards, Angie Stone, RDH, BS Pulpdent was invited to train 40 dental assistants on the subject of “New Technology Resins for Pro- visional Restoration” during the Greater N.Y. Dental Meeting on Nov. 29. The educational program was sponsored by the American Dental Assistant Association Foundation (ADAAF), which provides continu- ing education and valuable demon- strations by selected manufacturers to further the knowledge and skills of the member dental assistants. Larry Clark, director of clinical affairs for Pulpdent, first presented a scientific program on the three provisional technology groups: acrylics (PMMA), bis-acrylics and rubberized-urethane™ . The strengths, weaknesses and clinical techniques for the three dif- ferent chemistries were reviewed in detail. The scientific session was followed by a hands-on work- shop and demonstration using Tuff-Temp, the new rubberized- urethane provisional material from Pulpdent. Tuff-Temp’s rubberized-ure- thane is strong, impact resistant and fits tightly on the teeth. Break- age and debondings are minimized or eliminated. The material has the convenience and handling of a modern automix system, but does not shrink, stretch, break, debond or lose its margins like bis-acrylics. It has the strength of powder and liquid acrylics, but eliminates the mixing, odor, shrinkage, heat generation, loose fit and recemen- tations. Tuff-Temp grinds and powders, producing crisp and accurate mar- gins that do not soften or distort. Finishing instruments do not gum up or clog. Tuff-Temp is dual cure. It both self-cures and has a fast light cure option that is also ideal for use with a clear vinyl polysiloxane template. Pulpdent manufactures high- quality products for the dental pro- fession, including adhesives, com- posites, sealants, cements, etching gels, calcium hydroxide products, endodontic specialties and bonding accessories. For more information, call (800) 343-4342 or visit www. pulpdent.com. HT A new year, a chance to reflect Editor’s Letter HYGIENE TRIBUNE | January/February 20112D Pulpdent trains dental assistants at Greater N.Y. Dental Meeting Larry Clark, director of affairs for Pulpdent, presents on acrylics, bis- acrylics and rubberized- urethane. (Photo/ Provied by Pulpdent) Industry news