Friday

Announcing Jet Pins Model System In the US: for Dental Laboratories

Improving the quality of restorations is a daily goal for every dental lab. Eliminating as many inaccuracies as possible is the main way for achieving higher levels of quality. Solve many more restoration inaccuracies with the Crocus Dental Technologies Langner Jet Pin System.

www.JetPinsUSA.com


Jet Pin Model System Videos

The following videos demonstrate the value the Jet Pin model system offer your dental lab and your dentist clients. See how to give your laboratory model room a step up in consistency and quality.

One factor that greatly influences quality is the stability of the die in the working model. If the die doesn’t seat in the model in exactly the same position every time, inaccuracies can occur in the proximal contacts and even in the occlusion

The Jet Pin System was developed in Germany by Jan Langner. Introduced to the US market by Crocus Dental Technologies, the Langner Jet Pin system, is now available exclusively from Renstrom.

The most obvious characteristic of the system is its increased number of pins compared to traditional die pin systems. More pins mean more die stability and more stability means more accuracy!

Each die is now stabilized by four pins, one each on the lingual, buccal, mesial, and distal. The two additional interproximal pins ensure a secure fit and prevent any lateral movement of the die.
State of the art dental laser guided pin drilling system and computerized powder/water ratio control for die stone help.

Your dental lab team members in the model room can take full advantage of the accuracy of the Jet Pin system. The net result is that your lab can consistently give your dentist clients the accurate contacts and occlusion they require.

Is the quality of your ceramic and porcelain smile makeover restorations superior to all others?

With the Langner Jet Pinning system, your dental lab can improve the fabrication process while at the same time produce a better quality product,
This unique pinning system allows a technician to fabricate and fit crowns on a stable, more accurate die and model, ensuring consistent and predictable results.

For more information and ordering details, contact Crocus Dental Technologies

Call 800-246-4519

Vadnais Heights, MN 55110-3349

Part of Renstrom Dental Studio, Inc.

Jet Pins Dental Model System: USA WebsiteGermany Website

Wednesday

March Seminars for Dentists


Need answers? Staying viable and healthy during a crazy economy. Solving every day business challenges. Achieving Legal Wellness. Better Dental Team Communication. Attracting New Patients. Employment Issues.
Get the right answers from Northern Dental Alliance members. The only obligation, reserve your spot--limited seating!
This hybrid, dual topic seminar on March 13, 2009 will present successful strategies for dentists and dental practices to develop and protect their personal and business investment.
Pertinent and specific information to build your success repertoire. Plus a box lunch for your convenience and nourishment.
Seminars Presented by Northern Dental Alliance

11:45AM Presentation 

  • Presenter: Dick Chwalek - Niche Dental

  • Topic: Communication is Everything • Preparing Patients for Out-Of-Pocket Value

  • Summary: See Below

1:00PM Presentation 



> Presentation Summaries 


Communication is Everything: Preparing Patients for Out-Of Pocket Value

Dick's talk will focus on building value in your services and expertise. His approach is based on preparing the consumer to choose a higher level of value by creating a connective communication structure.  The consumer is too often behind the curve on what is available and why paying much more can be worth it. Rather than letting insurance be their guide and making sticker shock your sidekick, position your recommendations to be the undeniable and unavoidable solution. Make the macro-economy irrelevant; standout so those who will pay for value know you are there!
Key Communication Concepts Covered
  • Communication is Health, Expertise and Revenue

  • Building New Communication Routes

  • Prepare Consumers, Your Patients

  • Creating A Framework

  • Avoiding Generic

  • Being Specific  



Legal Wellness in Dentistry • The Value of Prevention

Michael will discuss in his session the assessment of a dental practice’s “legal wellness,” with a special emphasis on insurance audits, recordkeeping, and the importance of employment agreements.
The session uses and refers to a legal wellness” checklist, which can also be a resource for dentists to discuss, and potentially prioritize issues, with their legal counsel.

Remember to RSVP • Lunch is provided

Event Hosted by Rick Epple, Epple Financial Advisors

Sunday

Strategic Tips For Building Profitable Dental Practices in 2009

When it comes to being successful during a downturn, communication is everything! Dental practices that want to thrive need to consistently present the value they offer to more consumers and keep their patients better informed as well.

While building dental expertise is vital, its potential is very limited without a connective communication strategy to make it actually available and understood by others. It is time  to give your expertise a high priority status.

The current economic situation has created many businesses challenges. Dental practices need to respond in various ways to encourage consumers to make dentistry a higher priority. Consumers will only delay longer without ongoing reminders. Additionally, current patients need a higher level of communication and stronger referral skills.

While regular preventive dental visits can be delayed without a short-term downside, significant health problems and personal reasons will not wait for an economic recovery. When emergencies arise and toothaches occur, your dental office should have a public presence to keep your patient numbers on a growth trajectory. 

Dentists who offer high value services such as Invisalign braces, dental implants, cosmetic dentistry, and smile makeovers should make sure they are the ones these patients will know of when they start looking. Sedation dentistry marketing is also a way to move consumers who have put off dental treatment because of fear to get the care they need now.


Take these steps to keep your dental office profitable in 2009.
The Best Dental Marketing Plan has THREE Elements

ONE: Be A Publicly, Proactive, Persistent Dental Practice
  • To grab people who are not considering dentistry right now
  • Usually includes a traditional dentistry marketing element or format 
  • People need to be made aware of your cosmetic and restorative expertise and services 
  • While public marketing is not cheap, done right, dentists can bring in new blood fast 
  • Waiting for referrals, or consumers to think about or searchers is risky in a downturn
TWO: Completely Cover Your Current Dental Patients Angle
  • Patients want others to know about you if you do things well 
  • This is hardly ever done well - it is often generic, impersonal, and infrequent 
  • Referrals and smile makeover case acceptance result from effectively communicating value 
  • Find more ways to connect with dental patients and more formats to ask for referrals 
  • Where you communicate now - add elements that say something new about you 
  • Referrals still make great patients, but the new landscape requires new methods 
  • Use dental technology to better inform patient of your services and expertise
THREE: Network Your Internet Connection: Dental Websites
  • The Internet is where your patients, and consumers are, and will be looking for you 
  • There are a thousand ways to attract new dental care patients online: spread your wings 
  • Internet evasion will shrink your community influence, referral power, expertise value 
  • Remember most other dentists are doing one thing, if any, and often haphazardly 
  • Keep adding to your online dental advertising repertoire, weaving in your highest value services
Downturn Dental Marketing ConclusionAssertive and persistent public and internal communication is essential for your dental practice to be viable today and long term. Dental marketing is not only a good thing it is the only thing that consistently gets consumers and patients enough information in the quantity, quality, and the right time of day for them to absorb it effectively. To achieve the success you want in 2009, get the marketing you need to reach your revenue goals.

Commentary by Dental Marketing Consultant Dick Chwalekand Niche Dental communication coaching guides you to better, faster, and fit-your-needs solutions.

Visit Niche Dental on Twitter.

Wednesday

Dentists Get Personal Financial Tools for Whipsawing Economy

Dentist CE Course: Financial Preventative Care
Making the most out of your financial opportunities...
Location: Renstrom Dental Studio
Date: February 17, 2008
Gathering Time: Appetizers 6:15 PM
Program Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

This short, timely course will be given by Rick Epple, Senior Financial advisor at Epple Financial Advisors in the Renstrom dental laboratory seminar room. Rick will cover ways to maximize financial opportunities, implement effective succession and retirement plans, and  achieve financial independence.

At this dental seminar, dentists from the Twin Cities MN area will be presented with ideas and strategies that you can use to build a financial future, enabling you to live the life that you always dreamed of. Rick will discuss a model for making smart decisions, common pitfalls, avoiding and escaping the financial alarm trap, resources to count on, and much more.

Care for your future just as you do for your dental patients! There will be no cost for attending and all dentists are welcome to attend. Hope to see you there!

Rick is a Northern Dental Alliance Member.

To RSVP and find out more about the Dentist Financial CE seminar at NDA.

Find out more about Rick Epple, CFP - Financial Advisor for Dentists in MN and other states.

What Will Happen To Dental Marketing in 2009?

The economy has changed in a dramatic way. Even if you had a good year, the ground has shifted and consumers will react. Dental practices that follow the crowd could end up heading off the cliff of generic malaise or getting little to drink at a very dry lake.

Recently, a client sent me a newsletter from a dentist who helps practices make decisions about their strategies. The consultant's idea was to start focusing on insurance patients and family dentistry. Basically, because money will be tight for consumers dentists should find ways to do dentistry that costs less. Sounds like a common sense business and dental marketing strategy in these tough economic times.

The problem is NOT that it won't work. It will work very well for many dentists. But what you need to consider is: are you 'many' dentists? Or look at it this way, would it make sense to tell all businesses to become Wal-mart when the economy goes down hill?

The dental practice management consultant also said that cosmetic dentistry as an overriding focus would be a problematic strategy in this environment. While I agree, cosmetic dentistry has never really made huge inroads - staying around 3-5 percent of overall dental treatments in the U.S.

Unfortunately, dentistry as a service has hardly moved at all in its utilization by the public even with the exciting elements of cosmetic or aesthetic enhancement. From 1996 to 2004, there was no change in the percentage of consumers with a dental visit (SeniorJournal.com). This dental care statistic, while seemingly problematic especially in this economy, offers a good perspective in determining how to market YOUR practice (not every practice).

Things will change but not everything will change. Here are some realities you want to consider as you decide on what direction your dental marketing and business strategy will go in 2009...

First, the consumer is still stuck in a rut of dentistry tradition and dental fears. Their needs and wants are often conflicted because of this dilemma. While it can be frustrating for dental professionals who want improve public health, it shows how the economy has little to do with when they will go to the dentist. When they have significant dental problems, the economy has almost no impact on them. Historical memory, human emotion and dental pain are recession proof.

Second, the general consumer thinks about health when dentistry is brought up. Everything else is sidelined in some way. Cosmetic dentistry is marketing icing. No matter how ugly your smile is dental fears are not removed. The nice smile on your advertisement gets people to look and consider dentistry more so than a diagrammed root canal. Yet one look does not equal a dental visit. Your dental marketing needs to have reality infused in it so it does not look too unfamiliar. Most everyone would like a beautiful smile - just like most would like to have a hard body. But getting it done is another matter. 

Finally, the money is out there, just look at the numbers. Even if the employment goes as high as 11% (what most see as the high end) there are still 89% who will still have a job. While there will be areas that get hit very hard, overall there are people who will find the money to get it done. Those who have a lot less - will probably just hold off unless everything is paid, and go to the real Wal-mart--not practices that resemble them.

That means you won't make it up on those who rely solely on insurance or the family dentistry group with a big dental treatment plan or a couple crowns because more of them will just sit on their hands. And think about it, who is hit harder in this economy, those with kids or those without? People without kids have the money to spend, and will do it if the value is evident.

Conclusion
What would you do with extra money right now? Buy and flip some houses? Pile it into the stock market? Open a restaurant? Buy a new car? It might be 12 months to 5 years before at least some of these things seem more palatable. 

Yet, if you had money - like most people 45 and older who are in the upper 25% of incomes and household wealth - and your teeth were falling out, oral pain was a daily issue or your smile was yellow and worn - would you wait 12 months to stop the pain and the embarrassment?   

You can follow the dentistry marketing herd towards the watering hole that is quickly drying up or run off the cliff with a generic dental practice strategy. Take your pick. 

However, I suggest you survey the 'reality geography' more closely as it relates to the dentistry you want to do. Then find YOUR dentistry-plush savannah to graze in and avoid the fall into dwindling returns. Or dig a well to create YOUR dental care oasis

What exactly do you do to make it happen? That requires a phone call and a some reality time to make it work for you.  
866-453-1026 ext 251
  •  Generic and magical-thinking dentists and dental practices apply elsewhere.
Remember just like all politics are local - every dental care decision is personal with a good dose of tradition - not about family, insurance or cost.

Thursday

Dental Health Mission - Underway in Malawi Africa

The Nashville, Tennessee dental team left on Wednesday, December 17, 2008 on their journey across the Atlantic Ocean to Africa. They will be giving away as much dentistry as possible over Christmas and the New Year's Holiday.



Malawi has been making economic gains recently and we see our support in the health area as a way to enhance outcomes for more of its citizens. While providing this type of service is vital no matter what the circumstances, it is very exciting to know it is has the potential to develop beyond our mission alone. 

The following written report and news video demonstrate the Malawi's potential and ability to move forward. Here is background on the African country of Malawi, recently produced by NBC television.

Tuesday

Dental Marketing Consultant Presents Seminars in Nashville

In late November Niche Dental president and marketing coach Dick Chwalek presented two seminars in Tennessee. The first seminar was for junior students at Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry. The evening session was presented to area dental specialists, general dentists and dentistry residents at the home of Nashville oral surgeons Brian and Tania Howlett.

Dick would like to thank Dr. Walter Owens who invited him to speak and introduced him to students.

Visit Niche Dental on Twitter.com

Monday

New Practice in West Chester PA: Implant, Cosmetic - Sedation Dentist

Want More From Your Dentistry?
In Pennsylvania consider the dental office of Ronald Briglia, DMD.

Dr. Ronald Briglia opened his new dental office at 600 E. Marshall in West Chester this fall. It serves dental consumers in southeastern Pennsylvania who want and need a high level of comfort to achieve their oral health goals.

After many years developing the skills, services, and expertise to provide long-term health and esthetically pleasing results for his patients, he now has the environment to match. One where stress is greatly reduced, pain is absent, and informed decisions can be made.

His new facility is one mile from his original West Chester dental office. While the traveling distance is minimal, the new office goes noticeably farther up the ladder of value than both his former setting and that of other practices in the area. The change is crucial for many reasons including making it more likely people will feel comfortable about pursuing dental treatment.

According to statistics from various national health organizations, more than 50% of the population avoids seeing the dentist on even a yearly basis, and this problem is not limited to lower income households. Much avoidance can be attributed to fear, embarrassment, and phobia. With almost 24% of adults having lost all their teeth by age 65 in Pennsylvania alone (source CDC Oral Health), there is a serious need for changing how dentistry is presented and delivered.

The potential for helping people with various dental needs is significant because of Dr. Briglia's unique certification in both IV general anesthesia and oral conscious sedation, and expertise in comprehensive dentistry. Combined with an advanced, calming environment, the likelihood of encouraging those people to come forward is greatly improved.

While clinical results and treatment comfort are vital, Dr. Briglia knows the setting matters too. To remove stress and achieve a higher level of receptivity for complex and necessary treatment, patients are calmed with a rock waterfall, appropriately spacious restroom, various relaxation elements, and refreshments. For those who need distractions, he provides DVDs, Internet, soothing music, satellite radio, Cable TV, and wireless headphones. Visit TotalConfidenceDentistry.com to see and find out more.

His practice mission goes beyond comfort amenities to achieve the trust, respect, and value missing in too many situations. Dr. Briglia wants to make sure his patients get more from their dental care:
• Respect for the patient's condition not a rush to treatment
• Calm, pleasant, and thorough presentation of the possibilities
• Smile care for consumers who want a dentist focused health on first
• Proper sedation to cover all treatments from implants to oral surgery
• Sedation when acceptable to the patient and applicable to their situation
• No reason to travel from place to place: most specialty procedures performed onsite
• Responsible recommendations with options that make the treatment financially possible

"For years, I have been planning and dreaming of this type of setting. A place that truly complements all the advanced continuing education courses I have taken and the level of dental care my team and I can provide. The new practice spotlights the major changes in dentistry since I graduated from Temple Dental School in 1984."

"As one of the few dentists in Southeastern Pennsylvania certified in oral AND IV Sedation dental care for the fearful, phobic, and time challenged, I wanted to develop an advanced dental 'suite' design makes calm, clear, and informed decisions possible. Making optimum oral health decisions first; then determine a clinically sound, esthetically pleasing, and financially feasible way to get it done." Dr. Ron Briglia

Interview Dr. Briglia and discover how his dental practice makeover and expertise make it possible for consumers in West Chester and southeastern Pennsylvania to attain a much healthier lifestyle.

CONTACT
Ronald Briglia, DMD
(610) 692-4440
Chester County Medical Center
600 E. Marshall • St Ste 201
West Chester, PA 19380
www.TotalConfidenceDentistry.com

Tuesday

Cheap Dentistry Or We All Get a Million $$$ Mortgages?

How do we approach dentistry as consumers? Do we know what is possible? Does the dentist present their services effectively so trust is improved and value is high?

Marketing is too often about gimmicks and discounts. As consumers, we want to get the best price for everything. But when cost and health meet we often find ourselves with a conflict of interest. If it is not covered by dental insurance or it does not exactly fit our limited perspective of what has changed and is now possible, we think we are getting over sold.

Dentistry marketing usually throws in some kind of deal and focuses on the shiny bobbles of high tech services because we would most likely ignore it without something besides "it is good for you". But this "smoke and mirrors" makes us think there is no there there or we go further and trust dentists less.

Unfortunately, there is something more there and we miss it because telling us that "the Surgeon General" says it is so - makes us frown. This creates a slippery consumer paradox: telling it like it is - is too boring and maybe too scary. And making it seem like a day at the park with ice cream - and seemingly free - makes us suspicious. Dr. Ron Briglia of West Chester PA provides a different perspective with his new dental practice, which just opened this month.

His new practice offers the comfort required to show consumers dentistry can be a lot more pleasant and palatable. He offers sedation dentistry including IV sedation to reduce the pain and anxiety issues to almost nothing. Then he focuses on complete long term health with dental implants and advanced periodontal treatments, which means we really get something good.

See how he eliminates the boring while including real value. Like not thinking everyone can get a million dollar mortgage, we need to focus on what is really BEST not think we can defy the laws of reality when it comes to our health. If you do not think your health is worth it, changing your perspective about dentistry is vital. Do your research but don't wait too long -- forking over a few more dollars is better than saying good bye to many of your teeth.


Sincerely, Dick Chwalek - Niche Dental

New Dental Practice Opens in West Chester PA

WELCOME TO OUR NEW DENTAL PRACTICE 
Dentistry is good for you. While true, this statement lacks enthusiasm. No enthusiasm, no enthusiasts.
We are dedicated to enthusiastic dentistry. Is it an unrealistic goal? Consider these three new items first…

1) NEW…  600 E. Marshall, West Chester PA (Pennsylvania)

2) Very NEW… Oral health supporting and encouraging environment from look to feel to space.

3) NEW for YOU… Everything enhanced to make enthusiasm almost unavoidable.

"For years, I have been planning and dreaming of this. A place that truly complements all the advanced continuing education courses I have taken and the level of dental care my team and I can provide because of it. It is a setting that will spotlight the major changes in dentistry since I graduated from Temple Dental School in 1984.

As one of the few dentists in Southeastern Pennsylvania certified in oral AND IV Sedation dental care for the fearful, phobic, and time challenged, I wanted a free flowing design and state-of-the-art technology to serve them in a comprehensive manner. This advanced dental ‘suite’ design makes calm, clear, and informed decisions possible. Where we can most successfully achieve your health and comfort goals. Making optimum oral health decisions first; then determine a clinically sound, esthetically pleasing, and financially feasible way to get it done."
EXPERIENCE YOUR NEW DENTAL SUITE
• Reception room wide screen TV and wireless headphones
• Internet connection and computer, plus a fax and printer
• Web enabled phone for no cost local, national, and international calls
• A nice and appropriately spacious powder room
• Refreshments and other amenities

Spa Elements• Relaxation room: for before and after treatment where you can enjoy…
o Soothing music, a rock waterfall, paraffin hand dips, refreshments, a heated massage chair and more.
• Photo Studio: for treatment records and to showcase oral health rejuvenation and smile enhancement
• In The Future: we want to add additional spa-related services from a certified esthetician

Treatment Suites
• SIRIUS Satellite radio and relaxing CDs on our sound system
• Dimmable lights, volume controlled speakers and overhead patient video monitor
• Headphones and will be able to play cable TV, DVD’s or play video games
• Monitors to show digital x-rays, intra-oral camera images, and enthusiastic educational information

Comprehensive, Convenience, and Comfortable Treatments…
• IV Sedation for painless reconstructive treatment including dental implants, often in one day.
• When you need a dental specialist, there will be no traveling to other offices.
• Complete, painless, vital, no-lectures periodontal treatment to save your smile.
• Smile makeovers for total health rejuvenation, and a beaming with obvious confidence look!
• Safe & Reliable: digital x-rays 80-90% safer than traditional, up to date sedation monitoring, and more.

Sincerely, Dr. Ron Briglia and Team - TotalConfidenceDentistry.com
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Whether you are in Pennsylvania, New York, California, Minnesota, Alabama, Texas, Colorado or anywhere else in the US, look for a dental practice that goes beyond your expectations. Your health is worth more.