Regular comprehensive dental exams provide patients the best chance at improving their health and quality of life while allowing practitioners to deliver a higher standard of care. This OnTarget article discusses oral health screening guidance for clinicians before and during the exam, the importance of oral cancer screening, and recommended products for dental exam and prophylaxis.
Proper Hand Hygiene in the Age of COVID-19
Hand washing, though it may seem simplistic during a pandemic, can actually be the most effective way of preventing the spread of germs, including those that cause COVID-19. As dental practices navigate the recent challenges related to COVID-19 and work to implement strategies to protect patients and staff, a closer look at hand hygiene may prove helpful.
A Conservative and Esthetic Approach to Anterior Restorations
A break in the “normal” routine has presented clinicians with an opportunity to revisit common elective procedures that patients will request upon their return. If there’s a less invasive way to achieve highly esthetic results in the anterior, now is an ideal time to explore those techniques and revamp your material armamentarium.
Show Your Support for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Patterson Pink Products
Show your support for your patients affected by breast cancer. Purchase these featured Patterson® brand products. Plus, buy Patterson Brand and back breast cancer research. A portion of the proceeds for every qualifying purchase will be donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.
A Safer Way to Polish: Splatter Guard Prophy Angles from Young Innovations
As dentists and hygienists question the use of ultrasonic instruments during the COVID-19 pandemic, they may also be looking for ways to eliminate or at least control aerosols and splatter. Young Innovations recently introduced the Splatter Guard® prophy angle, which nearly eliminates airborne particles during prophylaxis polishing. Whitney Howerton, MDH, RDH, gives Splatter Guard a test run.
Simplify Restorations with SimpliShade from Kerr
As dental practices get comfortable operating in the “new normal,” the burden of wearing—and storing—extra PPE and time spent disinfecting operatories between patients continues to be a challenge. To meet these challenges, dentists are looking for new ways to save valuable chair time and streamline inventory management.
OnTarget Highlight: The Pediatric Prophy Appointment
Oral healthcare is essential at any age, but for children, maintaining a healthy mouth holds special importance. Dental caries is the most common chronic childhood infectious disease. As of 2015, approximately 573 million children worldwide had at least one untreated cavity.
OnTarget Highlight: PPE Adherence in the Dental Practice
A recent global health pandemic has brought personal protective equipment (PPE) to the public’s attention, but dental professionals have long been familiar with the concept of PPE. Despite this, many workers fail to adhere to PPE requirements because they find equipment cumbersome, uncomfortable or disruptive to performing tasks and communicating with patients and personnel. To remove these barriers, dental offices must supply PPE that maximizes ease of use, comfort and performance.
Keeping Staff and Patients Safe: Personal Protective Equipment and Donning and Doffing Advice
Nothing is more important than protecting the lives of your patients and staff. Yet new circumstances you and other dental professionals are now facing require the use of more personal protective equipment (PPE) and the proper procedures for ensuring you and your team are securely covered – from head to toe.
6 Ways to Build In Eco-Friendly Practices Every Day
As a vibrant local business, your dental office has the distinct opportunity to be a leader amongst the other businesses on your street and in your city. There are numerous...
8 Ways to Infuse Your Practice With Summer Vibes
The days are long, the sun is hot, ice cream tastes extra delicious, and outdoor concert season is in full swing. There's no denying it: we're in the heart of...
![10 Ways to Celebrate Lips Appreciation Day [+Free Printable]](https://www.offthecusp.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/feature-634x288.jpg)
10 Ways to Celebrate Lips Appreciation Day [+Free Printable]
Lips: Whether they're thick, thin, pouty, or plump, we've all got 'em - and thank goodness we do! They help us speak, emote, eat, drink, and they have the all-important...
7 Must-Have Fall Floss Flavors
Warm pumpkin spice, tart caramel apples, gooey pecan pie...these are the iconic flavors and smells of fall. We know they make for tasty treats, delightful drinks, and comforting candles, but...
How to Make Your Patients Want to Whiten (With You!)
Does your practice offer multiple whitening solutions? If so, how successful are you at encouraging your patients to use them? According to the American Dental Association, in the past 20...
A Realistic Guide for Talking to Your Patients About Teeth Whitening
Your patients want to look and feel their best – which includes sporting beautiful pearly whites. That’s why offering teeth whitening services at your practice is a no-brainer since every...
Gloves: The Latest Powdered Item to Fall out of Fashion
Effective today, January 18, 2017, the FDA has banned the use of powdered medical gloves. If you have purchased powdered gloves during the last six months, we want to make...
DIY Patient Giveaway Tree
There's no denying it, this really is the most wonderful time of the year! Not only does the holiday season bring with it an abundance of yummy food and quality...
Tray Chic: 15 of the Most Popular Products for a Simple Composite Procedure
As is true with most dental procedures, the "best way" to perform a simple composite restoration is largely based on personal preference. A successful restoration can be achieved with a...
Airflow Polishing Updates as Fresh as Your Breath
Have you used an air polisher lately? For many of you, the answer is sure to be no. Maybe your device is sitting in a cabinet because your patients used...
6 Ways Biofilm is Like a Bad Houseguest
Houseguests can be a pleasure to host if they’re courteous and polite, which thankfully is most often the case. Unfortunately, though, most of us have also experienced the “other” kind...
![1 Brush, 5 Modes: That’s Genius! [Giveaway]](https://www.offthecusp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/one-brush-five-modes-feature-765x288.jpg)
1 Brush, 5 Modes: That’s Genius! [Giveaway]
A gingivitis diagnosis can leave a patient discouraged about their oral health, and as the practitioner it’s up to you to deliver a solution that provides the proverbial light at...
HOW to Know Your Instruments are Clean, and WHY it Matters!
Let's face it, cleaning and sterilizing instruments for re-use might just be one of the most tedious and dull parts of your day. But the bottom line is that it...
Patterson Exam Gloves: The Perfect Fit For Your Office
A funny thing happens when you find a product that offers both supreme comfort and the right fit: safety and peace of mind come right along with it. For parents,...
11 of the Most Bizarre Dental Floss Flavors
Floss every day because flossing once a day increases your life expectancy by 6 years! Floss every day because if you don’t floss, you miss cleaning 35% of your tooth...
9 “Ultrasmart” Reasons to Switch to Ultrasonic Scaling Technology
It’s true. Your patients look forward to that squeaky clean feeling after a professional dental cleaning. But as dental professionals, we know it’s not just about helping patients’ smiles look...
![3M Cement Selection Guide [Infographic]](https://www.offthecusp.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/cement-selection-guide-feature-image-1000x288.jpg)
3M Cement Selection Guide [Infographic]
Hot coffee or iced coffee? Sandals or loafers? Bring lunch or buy lunch? Happy hour or home? As working professionals our weekdays are filled with choices, and for dental industry...
Are You Gellin’? Patterson Topical Anesthetic Gel
Think back to when you were young and your parents took you to the dentist. Whether you had to be drug there or went with little complaint, most kids didn’t...
2 Birds, 1 Toothpaste: 2 Benefits to Using Prescription Strength Toothpaste
As a dental professional, you undoubtedly are often asked by your patients, "What's the best kind of toothpaste to use?" For many patients, any off-the-shelf toothpaste is adequate for daily...
By The Numbers: Articaine Vs. Lidocaine
Local anesthetics are among the most commonly administered drugs in clinical dentistry. Articaine and Lidocaine, two of the most popular types, may sound similar, but there are key differences in...
4 Ingredients in the Recipe for Perfectly Fitting Pedo Crowns
Dental caries, also known as tooth decay or cavities, remains the most prevalent chronic disease among children in the U.S. According to a recent study, 5-10% of U.S. children will...