What You Don’t Know Might Hurt You
May 28th, 2010
Well, I’m back home and enjoying every minute of it. While I love Southern California, there’s nothing like the smell of Honeysuckle, Jasmine and Magnolia to make you appreciate living in the South.
I’m looking forward to a great weekend with family and friends as we celebrate Memorial Day with a party at our neighborhood pool and Matt and I go out for a birthday celebration dinner. That’s right…I turned the Big 40 today!
Last year on my birthday I sent you a photo of me with no front teeth so to top that, here I am at my high school graduation in 1988. Yes, I know. I had a lot of hair back then. But who didn’t? Oh, and that’s Diane, Inspired Hygiene’s Business Manager on the left and our other great friend, DesiRae on the right. We’re all still best friends 20+ years later!
While I was in California I attended the CDA meeting. I was so impressed with the level of speakers at this meeting and how well it was organized. I will be back! One of the speakers I saw was Dr. Brian Novy. If you follow me on Facebook you saw my post about his program on CAMBRA and MI Dentistry. He made a very dry subject fun and entertaining. I learned a ton!
Rather than try to feebly recount all the amazing points he made and how this information is turning our old caries theories upside down, I’d like to refer you to a few articles. If you haven’t started thinking about how to update your caries management protocol in the last couple years, now is the time. You must be informed on how to manage patients risk as well as treat their disease and prevent further occurrence. And what you don’t know may hurt you… and your patients.
The first article is a snapshot of Dr. Novy’s presentation, “Dental Caries: a pH-mediated disease”. The second article is by Carri Cady of Oral Biotech and is titled “Sued over caries?!”. I want to point out the section in Carri’s article where she quotes Dr. Ed Zinman. Dr. Zinman is a periodontist and an attorney who handles medical and dental malpractice cases-from the plaintiff’s side. Here is a link to his article “Ethics versus Legal Informed Consent – A Distinction with Little Difference”. In short, he states that lack of knowledge of new standards of care is no excuse for not implementing them. I’m not trying to be dramatic. I’m just saying…
Have a great weekend!
Stay Inspired!
Rachel
What are you getting out of that conference?
March 4th, 2010
We’re now in the midst of convention season. You and your team are probably planning a trip to a meeting in your region and you want to make the most of it. Traveling to conventions can be an excellent opportunity to learn as well as have some quality time building relationships with your team.
While you do want to have fun, I bet learning is your primary objective for these trips. Here are 4 steps to getting the most out your next dental conference.
Figure out the why
Why are you going? Your first answer may be to get your CE for the year. But I want you to think a little deeper than that. Have you heard about a new product or procedure that you’d like to learn about? Take a look at the schedule of courses ahead of time and plan which ones you’ll attend.
Think about how you’ll implement what you learn. If you’re going to learn more about Risk Assessment, for instance, do a little research and find a couple articles to read before the seminar. This will allow you to have a basic knowledge of the topic and hear different points of view. How will this new knowledge make a difference in the way you practice? Just think about it and look for answers throughout the program, making notes along the way.
Go In Prepared
Before hitting the exhibit halls, create a list of products or equipment you want to check out. Break up into groups of 2 or 3 to ’shop’ the hall and tackle your list. Give the vendors a chance to educate you on their product and don’t be afraid to kindly question its use in real practice. Figure out how you’ll use it to make your job easier and deliver better care. Again, arming yourself with a little information before you go will help you to ask the right questions.
If there are large purchases you’re considering, set up, in advance, meetings at the convention with several reps in the same category of the product or equipment you’re considering. This way you don’t have to fight the crowds and you can get the time and information you need to make the best decision.
Re-group
At the end of each day, plan a time to re-group with your team or a few colleagues if you’re going solo. Dedicate the first 30-45min to discuss what you learned or what new products you discovered. Report the estimated cost of implementing if you can and how it will improve efficiency and service.
Have each group of 2-3 report their findings to the group. Then assign one person in each group to be responsible for following through on the new ideas once you return back to the office.
Create your action plan
Before you return home to your busy work life, set aside and hour or two to create an action list based on what you learned at the conference. Note what action you’ll take-order product, implement new diagnostic or operative techniques. Determine who will be accountable for moving it forward and a date by when the action will be taken.
On a sheet of paper, draw 3 columns:
What? Who? By When?
Take this back to the office, take action and you’ll have a return on your convention investment like never before.
Stay Inspired,
Rachel
Inspired Hygiene
