The 3 minute purifying system for your patients appliances!
Available exclusively through Henry Schein – a product you should have
available for your patients protection! I just ordered one for my own mouthguard.The case seems pretty sturdy, and there is a
little UV light in the box that activates when you press the button and close
the lid.If the product performs as the
website indicates, I am very happy! Up until now, I just rinsed my appliance
and sprayed Listerine on it to disinfect. I never really trusted this method, but I didn’t have a better
method.This seems to be the answer!
According to the manufacturer:
This product will kill bacteria, yeasts and mold while
neutralizing odors using UV light and Ozone ions.
Naturezone will destroy bio=pathogenic bacteria that can
lead to MRSA, Staph, Strep, Salmonella and E.Coli
Naturezone will help destroy the dangerous pathogens that
can cause colds, the flu, or worse.
Click
here to see a video on how NatureZone works and why you will recommend this
to your patients…..
Andree and I arrived to Scottsdale Wednesday late afternoon – which is perfect because it gives us time to grab a taxi to our condo, then still have time to boot around and pick up whatever groceries we need. We actually had time to pick up a new set of golf clubs for Andree – right across the road there are two golf stores. Vans Golf and another store (can’t remember the name – but the staff were excellent). We picked up a set for $275 complete – making Andree very happy since she now has a blue set of clubs!
GOLF MANIA
Thursday morning I woke up and booked Legend Trail Golf for a 1:38 tee time. Here is my quick review…
Paid $79 each (Regular ‘special’ right now is $109) and phoned direct to book this time. Price was the same as golfnow.com – in most cases I can search the internet for tee times and still call the shop for the same rates and save the golfnow fees.
The staff wasn’t over friendly and the weather was on the cooler side – about 60 for a high. The cart had terrible brakes – took two feet stomping down to stop! The course itself is maintained very nicely, and was very busy indicating to me that its’ a decent course for the area. Its worth playing – but personally I would play The Sanctuary for $10 less.
I found a great driving range called Cracker Jax about 5 minutes away – its’ a double decker driving range and they also have go carts (might go check that out today). You buy a card that you stick into a machine and hit off a mat – but the layout is nice and they have a machine that tees the ball up every time! Very good backsaver! Its’ right across the street from Kierland Mall and beside the Promenade, so if you want to drop the wife off to go shopping (like I did) you can go hit however many balls you want – $10 bought me about 120 balls…
Andrees’ Dad came and joined us on Thursday as well- he is retired and travelling around the US (mostly Arizona) in his little camper van. I think he was happy to have some company and he stayed with us until Tuesday! This is a record for the old man, he usually doesn’t last more than a couple days and needs to get back on the road.
We spent most of Friday hanging around Arizona Mills Outlet stores. Friday night Andrees’ mom flew in, so we picked her up from the airport. The next few days here were rainy and cool, so we barely escaped the condo – most every day we just headed out for an hour or two of shopping for the basics and hung out at the condo….starting to go a little stir crazy!
We did get to downtown Scottsdale to Bucca di Beppo which serves up great Italian food family style – we always order way too much food and ate this for two days!
Wednesday we had to drive Andree mom to the airport ,and blew out a tire on the 101 when we were merging onto 202 (bad spot!!). We were 3.6 miles from the airport, and her mom missed her flight. It was quite an experienc to get a flat bed truck out to pick us up at 7pm on a Wednesday night – he brought us about 8 miles down the road and found us a tire shop (kind of a seedy little out of the way place with a lot of scary looking guys hanging out!) – but the bottom line is they found me a tire for $50 to get me temporarily going again – so we went to the airport and rebooked Angel (Andree mom) on a 1:40am flight that night and picked up my sister who had just flown in.
Thursday we went to the Phoenix Open – WOW! What an incredible day this was! If you are a golf fan, you need to put this on your bucket list. It really is quite an experience to wander around with some of the big names in golf – and its’ a ‘golf’ wonder of the world to sit in the stadium at hole #16….we almost saw a hole in one! These golfers are really amazing, hitting thier drivers better than most of us can hit a pitching wedge. Incredible talent which you need to see to believe. Besides the golf, even my sister and wife enjoyed wandering around – it was the first really nice day we had and there is plenty to see and do at this course. Last night we explored the “Birds Nest” which is a whole other experience! A really amazing crowd of beautiful people hanging out after the golf in an indoor/outdoor venue. The band was Collective Soul last night who put on a great show for $25!!!
We have a few more days here at the condo – I sure love it here. Winter is almost over at home ( a few more weeks) and I was able to fix my golf swing before the season even starts.
I know several of you are coming down, or have been here already. I see brochures here from Tombstone, the OK Corral, The Grand Canyon, lots of info from Sedona. There is no shortage of things to do here! The next few days we are going to go lay around the pool
For those of you who haven’t been here yet, but are looking for this type of experience – let me kinow!! I will rent my place to you for CHEAP! I try to basically get my maintenance costs out of the condo….
I challenged the industry to tell me why Oraqix was better than Cetacaine…here is what I found out…
#1 – Dentsply took me up on
my challenge! The same reasons I use to argue the point of using a full service
supplier – the price you pay isn’t always obvious. Dentsply has a commitment to provide us with
support in every way we need it. They
helped to educate me on the differences which to me are a great selling feature
by itself! I support those who support me, and Dentsply really is a class act…
Here are the major
differences between Cetacaine and Oraqix
-Toxicity of the product
limits the use of Cetacaine(Tetracaine) – and with little control of the
product cetacaine liquid may be easy to over administer.
-Dispensing method allows
precision control of the drug (I really like the dispensing)
-the difference between
using Amides and Esthers – Amides (oraqix) are safer and non allergenic
-Independent studies back up
Oraqix claims (none I could find on Cetacaine)
The product is obviously
needed – and you get what you pay for in this case. Feel good about showing this product – I do
now!
Thanks to Chris from Dr. Walkers’ office – who shared this
tip she got from an Oral Surgeon! This is one of those simple things that will
just enhance what you already do….
First – I would recommend a laser whenever possible, but if
you need to pull out a scalpel attaching the blade to this handle will turn you
into an artiste! It is much easier to control a blade with a round handle than
with a flat handle….just think about it….
Then take the plunge and spend the money to get this item…..
I have two tips for you today – First the method I know best for helping with the gag reflex – using a great topical! Cetacaine has fast onset (30 seconds) and will usually last 45 – 60 minutes.At about 100 doses per container, the product costs about $ .79 per dose (US website price)
The ‘alternative’ tip from RDH magazine – try using salt on the tongue – Quote from RDH “Jeanne said of salt, it wasn’t till my 25th year as a hygienist that a rep told me to sprinkle salt on the tongue of a patient that gags on Xrays, we keep small packs of salt in every operatory.We tell kids its’ French fry salt.”
I have had some great feedback – and I noticed one interesting thing….many of you probably do what I do when you see something really long come in your email – preview it quickly then trash it.If you don’t see something of interest, there is no point in reading the whole article!I TOTALLY get it! I was actually thinking about how many articles and books I have missed reading, and realized that we are all the same – we are too busy living life and ‘Just Doing It’!
That is fantastic! I am the kind of person who prefers to participate than to watch others.I get bored at hockey games, I wanna play! Same as golf, I went to a tournament and watched some pros and they almost had to tackle me to keep me from getting up on the teebox to see if I could keep up!
Once in a while though, I scan an article and see something that applies in my life.I hope that my writing has inspired an idea or two out of you, and if not – I probably wouldn’t know any better.My goal is to share what I have learned from the best of you….I have put in my 10,000 hours and then some – but I think we all have our own ways of doing things that work and NOBODY can teach me to do it any differently….so I realize now that I have at least another 10,000 hours to go before I get really good at this!
I wrote this article (and part 2) to hopefully inspire some changes in our industry – to challenge us to look at how we perform and hopefully find ways to do better.We are excellent already, but there are some specific challenges in here you may agree with, and even have a few of your own.I encourage you to comment either after this post on DMDrep.com or write me back…
Mostly – take the time to think – you are just one person, but it only takes one person to make a difference in this world…..
Enjoy!
Are you connected yet?
Unless you are only watching media with one eye open – you can’t miss that everyone is getting on the Facebook and Twitter train.If you still haven’t figured out the value of social media – then you haven’t really been following me too long.I have used social media in one form or another for 20 years! Facebook and Twitter are very strong businesses that tie together the human need to bond and share ideas.
If you are interested in finding out why this is a good thing, and stop paying attention to all the negative which is typical of media – go and read my published articles
I am not going to make any claims of being a social media expert or guru.I am just an average guy with a mind that is very open to recognizing opportunity.It exists in a huge way on Facebook right now.For some it exists as a way to start a new business or persue a passion (See my youtube video…”Can you make money playing snow golf?”). For others its’ a way to keep up with friends, colleagues, family.
Facebook is powerful since it ties together our personal interests with our business interests, career choices and allows us to quickl
y and easily network with people that have similar interests anywhere in the world.
Great Facebook Links this week…
#1 - Kevin Henryis the managing editor for Dental Economics, Proofs and Dental Assisting Digest.Check out Dentistry IQ – an excellent resource for our profession!
#2 – Dhru Shaw – Dentinal Tubules comes from the UK.Featuring some excellent articles, this is worth checking out!
#3 – Adina Manuela – a new friend from Romania had posted this link on her facebook – If I gave a speech, I would just copy this inspirational one! “Everybody’s Free” – do one thing everyday that scares you…..
This article I wrote is one of those things, but I speak from the good I hope will come of it….
Things I hate about the Dental Industry Part 1
#1 Thing I hate – Free goods that are offered, but you have to send in an invoice/receipt!! I am a big believer in treating others as you wish to be treated!I would bet that any of the marketing people who thought up these promotions were only thinking of their own bottom line, and not how THEY would not appreciate having to ‘mail, fax or email’ in their invoicereceipt/UPC symbol to receive free goods.
DMDrep solution…..instant free goods with reports generated from the retailer, including invoice copies if necessary.If its’ a cash rebate or gift certificate, then the free goods are supplied as a percentage of the inventory the retailer buys and free goods are put on backorder.
DMDrep solution #2 – Instant rebat
e applied against price.
DMDrep solution #3 – Any free goods offers are automatically emailed direct to the company, with a copy going to the customer along with tracking information
#2 Thing I hate – Free goods that are supposed to be shipped by the retailer (us) but are missed.This generally happens when you have to specify a size or shade for your free goods.We don’t miss a lot, but we do miss it sometimes.
DMDrep solution….come on computer guys! I’m not a tech genius, but there has to be somebody that can figure this out and be accountable.
DMDrep solution #2…company staff taking the order(CSR and Reps) need to be aware of the promotion to ask the right question – if free goods are offered, the computer should MAKE SURE to remind the staff to ask the question.If its’ an internet order, the internet needs to remind a customer of the promo and to ask the question…what shade/size….
#3 Thing I hate – I hate promotions that are out of reach for average customers! Buy $5000 of composite to get ‘free’ goods….come on!!
DMDrep solution….If you are going to have a great promotion, make sure most everyone can take advantage of it! Make up the cost of the promotion in volume.
DMDrep solution #2….If you can’t get it within reach of most customers, just lower your prices – that’s a pretty good incentive on its own!
#4 Thing I hate – Dental Sales People who are only interested in lining their pockets, are only order takers, can only sell on price. The rep that doesn’t bring true value to their customers give all of us reps a bad name – if you are not earning your stripes, then your customers should be shopping around!
DMDrep solution….Reps should have to take a minimum CE every year on dental materials (Schein Dentrek is excellent and available, but not mandatory)
DMDrep solution….Reps should have to spend a minimum amount of time with every manufacturer rep regularly -either detailing or learning products
DMDrep solution….Reps should know what their skills are, and also know when to refer to others (practice management, ESS, Technician, Computer Specialist, etc|)
#5 Thing I hate – I hate people who are not loving what they do and it shows.Have you ever experienced someone in the dental industry (or anywhere) who has performed poorly? Bad attitude, or can’t take a minute to help find an answer? I have experienced this!
DMDrep solution…Customer service should understand that they are there to SERVE the CUSTOMER, not just take phone calls and enter data
DMDrep solution…Customer service should have some minimum CE requirements on product knowledge, but also on operations – how to find the answers within the company, who does what and how to get the answers they need. They need to be skilled internet operators, and make sure they are efficient…
DMDrep solution…Other industry personnel that cannot be motivated to do their best should find a new passion in life…not to be mean, but to help them enjoy life!
#6 Thing I hate – I hate equipment sales people who do not offer full disclosure.They get you excited and sell you a new piece of technology, but don’t tell you that you need to sign a contract for huge maintenance after!
DMDrep solution…Full disclosure must be corporate policy and in writing for any part of a sales transaction
DMDrep solution…Sales reps must be well educated on anything they sell, and be held accountable for what they say
#7 Thing I hate – Companies who supposedly give you ‘something’ for free – and then ask you to sign a purchasing agreement… why don’t they just become the best store there is and get you to buy from them just for that reason? This way they would have to continue to be great in order to keep you as a customer, not because you ‘married’ them over something that was supposedly “free”
DMDrep solution…provide the best solutions for customers without commitments on their part – if you are good they will show their commitment by using your service
DMDrep solution…be loyal and sincere in providing your services and you will get back what you give
#8 Thing I hate – I am not a fan of maintenance agreements.I will definitely get flak over this one from many of you – as some of you see this as preventive maintenance, like a checkup.I think if you want a check up, just pay for it? Why not just buy your service hours in bulk at a discount and then schedule a regular maintenance appointment if you want a discount? Why commit to a service ‘contract’ – its’ a great commitment for one party, are you sure its’ your side of the party?
Analogy – treat others how you wish to be treated.Would you ask your patient to sign a contract for $100 per month and you will offer them a ‘free’ full mouth checkup, a scheduled 6 month cleaning, and a 10% discount on any other work they get done? Wow! What a great business model! Who profits the most from this?
Dental Companies – Do we sign these kind of commitments? Do you personally buy the ‘extended warranty’? Do you tack on everything your new car dealer asked you to buy? Do you commit to your dealership with a financial contract?
DMDrep solution…provide a good customer with a loyalty service contract instead – because you use our service department, we will provide you with a discounted service rate, priority service and exceptional loaners.
DMDrep solution…Provide customers with scheduled maintenance services at a discount – the same way they book hygiene – we will provide this service, but bill you as we go.
DMDrep solution…Any loaner equipment we give should be the newest, latest equipment.Its’ part of treating a customer the same way we want to be treated when we go for service.We want to go to a service shop, get a fast turnaround, and if that isn’t possible get a GREAT loaner (at least as good or better than what we are having fixed). The service bill should be explained and fully disclosed.If the tech can’t solve the problem from lack of experience, I wouldn’t want to be paying for that time!
#9 Thing I hate – People who complain but don’t offer solutions.If you don’t know how to fix it, then don’t bother complaining.
WOW – I came up with so many more, I have started a part 2!!!
Leave your comments, vote on this blog – or if you are receiving this via email, write me back!
Smile – I do love Henry Schein! Here are some reasons why…
-We have many people who are passionate about their jobs because they love what they do and it shows….
-We are a company that offers not only the best service but is ALSO very aware of pricing!
-Every customer is treated equally well
I’m not making an infomercial here – that would be one of the things on the “Hate” list.There are many areas that I believe we could be better, and this is one of the reasons I write these blogs.There are also many strong competitors out there, it only makes us better!
Optim wipes are a DMDrep favorite – I really like this product that is safe for you to use.It has a very fast kill time, is safe for the environment including the personnel using the product with no noxious fumes, no flammable liquids, no VOC, and non irritating to the skin and eyes.
I like the kill times – this is important in achieving efficiency in an operatory, and justifies the slightly (about 10% more than most wipes) higher price. Virucidal, Bacetericidal, Tuberculocidal all in 1 minute at 20 degrees, and Broad Spectrum sanitizing in 30 seconds…
This product does not dry on the surface like alcohol which can cause plastics to dry out and also causes staining.
When you are trying to compare products – consider the environment, and when you consider the kill times make sure you are allowing the product to work!Be realistic – ask your staff if they are really closely following the instructions and giving the product you are using time to be effective.
Also – are you sure you are closely following instructions for use, or have you decided that its’ ok to make your own product? In an effort to save money, many offices pour their product into a container filled with gauze.Has the manufacturer of the product included this in their instructions? Are you sure you are not compromising the integrity of the product when you do this?
You can have everything in life you want as long as you help enough other people get what they want.
Thanks Darlene, this is exactly what DMDrep is all about – From Zig Ziglar.
Gloves, Masks, and Eye protection
Do you buy your gloves, masks and eye protection based only on prices?Did you know that you may be compromising your own safety? You have made a career choice in becoming a health care provider.In order to have a long and healthy career, you should not compromise your own safety!
#1 – Gloves The most important safety factor – are you using the healthiest product for your hands? The most important factor should be quality.Make sure the glove you are getting is providing a consistent quality.Shopping around for the least expensive glove usually results in compromised product.Once you find a product that suits your requirements for quality and fit – you should consider the healthiest long term products – Powder free latex, and maybe even more so the Nitrile gloves currently seem to be the healthiest glove for health care.
My Current favorites (considering price is always a factor) are ElastexNitrile$14.99/box and Cyber Gel PF Latex $8.99/box
#2 – Masks This is another area of concern, and where I see too many people looking at only the price.Here is a link to Medicom – they have a mask for every price category.Make sure you select the right mask for the job – first you need the mask to fit comfortably, but also to provide the right level of protection for the job! Make sure you are protecting your patients as much as yourself – do not wear a mask from operatory to operatory. A simple hint from our recent infection control course! A mask is made to be used and changed after every patient, its’ as much for your patients safety as your own.
My current favorites are Safe Mask Premier Elite with the highest level of protection at $14.99 per box,Henry Schein Earloop at $9.79
#3 – Eye Protection This is probably the one area I see safety compromised the most.Eyeglasses do not provide adequate protection.You must be sure that there is very little chance for splatter, and regular eyeglasses do not provide this protection! There are some great innovations from Crosstex on eyewear in the IC1000 series – with hooks on the glasses for your earloop style mask – this is a great idea! And at $16.99, a reasonable product.There are many choices, and the Crosstex are fashionable and reasonable.Another economical choice is the Palmero Pro vision at about $8.00.Very plain looking, but effective.
Adina Manuela – 
