The battle of the power toothbrushes

The battle of the power toothbrushes October 22, 2007 -- Ultreo, Inc., makers of Ultreo, a power toothbrush based on ultrasound waveguide technology, filed a counter suit against Procter & Gamble in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York last week. P&G, which makes the Oral-B power toothbrush, filed a suit against Ultreo in September for allegedly misleading consumers and dental professionals through false advertising. According to P&G, Ultreo's claim that their product's ultrasound waveguide technology creates bubbles that fight plaque--that bristle action alone leaves behind--is false. P&G further claimed that one of its studies proved the Ultreo toothbrush was more effective at removing plaque with its ultrasound waveguide technology switched off. "Ultreo has provided no clinical proof that the ultrasound makes any difference in plaque removal in the mouth. We're taking this action to prevent consumers from being misled and to protect our business," said Dr. Paul Warren, Vice President of Global Oral Care Scientific and Professional Relations for P&G in a press release. Ultreo has denied these claims in full, and in its countersuit says that P&G is misleading consumers and dental professionals by falsely disparaging Ultreo. Ultreo claims considerable scientific evidence proves its product's advantages, notably a 95 percent reduction of plaque within the first minute of brushing. "Our marketing focuses on the strong scientific evidence behind Ultreo and the proven consumer preference for the incredible feeling of clean Ultreo provides," said Ultreo CEO and President Jack Gallagher in a press release. "It’s obvious that this is the real source of concern for P&G. The fact that a $76 billion market leader is attacking and disparaging a $3 million startup offering a technological innovation simply validates Ultreo’s acceptance by the marketplace." Related dental links: Dental Loupes Vacuum Forming Machine root canal The,battle,of,the,power,toothbrushes

Work less, earn more? One dentist explains how

Work less, earn more? One dentist explains how

October 22, 2007 -- William Blatchford, D.D.S., had a successful practice but he wasn't truly happy. He worked five days a week, never had time for vacations, and always felt a cloud of stress hanging over him. One night while eating leftovers from yet another office dinner, his wife and fellow dentist, Carolyn, said, "We're eating the leftovers of the practice's revenues every month." One night, Blatchford had a realization: He needed to change the entire way he ran his business.

Once he did, Blatchford claims he eventually climbed to the top 1 percent of highest-grossing dentists nationwide. Then he founded Blatchford Solutions and became a coach and consultant to 2,500 dental practices. His selling point: Life is too short, so develop a practice that allows you the lifestyle you desire. When he is not flying planes; skiing near his Bend, Oregon home; or sailing in Puget Sound; Blatchford spreads the word about his theory.


Dr. William Blatchford
His "Show Me the Money" session at the recent ADA conference in San Francisco was a few years in coming. "Two years ago, the ADA told me not to talk about profit or use the 'S-word' at the conference." (We're assuming he meant "sell".) "This year, they actually requested I do this program. It shows how far the dental business has come."

One of his seemingly contrary discoveries: Customer service demands that you focus on income. "People want to go to a dentist who is profitable. They don't want a dentist working on their teeth who is preoccupied with paying the rent."

Cut back on overhead

What keeps dentists from boosting profits? They're bad at estimating what to expect to gross every month, says Blatchford. "A dentist has one month that's shockingly big and assumes it will always be like that and spends money on more staff and equipment. The next month, business goes back to normal and he's worrying about paying expenses. What did the dentist do to make that one month so big? Chances are, they don't know.

"Your 'range of predictability' shouldn't go up and down. It should become narrower."

In Blatchford's case, he scrutinized his staffing. He had 16 employees, five solely for hygiene. ("What does one dentist need 16 employees for?") He laid off three hygienists ("The worst day of my career"), then later cut his total staff to eight. A year later, he grossed slightly more than the prior year, even with half his staff.

Blatchford boasts that his clients gross between $2 to $3 million annually, even when working with staffs of five or fewer. More telling? His dentists work 3.5 days a week and take eight to 10 weeks vacation a year. All of them have cut their overhead and reduced their staff to a handful. "It's not about time spent or efforts made, or even how much you work. It's about results."

Getting there means cutting the small stuff, focusing on high-end treatments, and developing specialized niches. One of Blatchford's clients moved his dental practice to Florida and focused on cosmetic dentures and implants for the abundant population of well-heeled seniors. The dentist charges $6,000 to $10,000 a pop. The results: He went from grossing $800,000 a year to $2 million, with half his previous overhead (a team of five employees), and a four-day workweek.

Another client only works three mornings a week, but she focuses on dentures and implant-supported dentures in a Polish neighborhood in Chicago. "She doesn't do fillings or see kids," says Blatchford. "But she earns so much in her specialty that she throws in a spare set of dentures for free." She likewise trimmed staff, cutting overhead from 63 percent to 37 percent, and grosses $1 million annually.

Typically, 30 percent of a dentist's overhead is staff. Blatchford says it should be 12 to 20 percent. But pay those staffers you keep well--double their salaries. "I once hired someone incompetent and then had to hire a trainer to help her. That's stupid." Hire the most competent staff, give them incentives of higher pay and a reduced workweek, and they'll give you hard work and loyalty in return.

Focus on your top clientele

Blatchford is a firm believer that the top 20 percent of patients generate 80 percent of your income--and that the bottom 20 percent can actually be an income drain. "It's ludicrous to treat all patients the same when some are actually costing you money."

He suggests you create a spreadsheet of all your patients and how much they spend, then list them in descending order of expenditures. "When the descending total hits 80 percent of total income, study those people in that range. Look at their age, gender, and treatments needed -- that's your target market. Get rid of the bottom 20 percent."

Raise fees, lower receivables

Don't be afraid to raise fees, either. Blatchford actually recommends doubling them. "People go to my Chicago-based client because her dentures cost twice as much. They perceive it as quality."

If you're hesitant to double, add the bill cost to your current fee. "Then you can send work to the best lab around, because the patient is paying for it directly."

Accounts receivables are poison in his book. Say you have $100,000 in A/R on Jan.1. Over the course of a year, you'll lose $6,000 through inflation, $10,000 from money you could have invested (if you had it), $36,000 in the costs of trying to get patients to pay, and $24,000 in write-off of bad debts. By year's end, you will have lost $76,000.

"That's why my clients do not carry account receivables," says Blatchford. "It's check, cash or credit card upfront at the desk."

Make treatments affordable by offering financing options from outside sources. Why not?, says Blatchford. "That's how they pay for their car and big-screen TV."

Ply them with services

Consultants often tell dentists to focus on getting more hygiene patients, but Blackford says forget that. "You'll only break even. It will never be a profit center."

Instead, focus on doing more Class II and Class III procedures. "If you do two units of a crown or bridge, your net profit per hour triples." He also recommends offering additional services, such as denture implants, cosmetic dentures, and veneers.

How can you get patients to accept these offerings? "McDonald's made millions by asking, 'Do you want fries with your burger?'" says Blatchford. "Say to your patient during a procedure, 'I notice you'll need an additional crown here soon. We can get both done while you're still numb and save you two extra appointments.'"

Instead of trying to educate patients about treatments' benefits, appeal to their emotions. "People don't want dentures or veneers, they want their teeth to look good, feel good and last a long time. Instead of trying to sell the process, you should be selling the results."

Moneymaking aside, Blatchford emphasizes that all dentists should balance business and pleasure, and ensure that they can incorporate both into their practice. "Life is too short. Make a commitment to be happy. You should say, 'Thank God it's Monday!' Focus only on the things you want to do and enjoy them, both in work and life."


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New drug can 'revolutionize' oral and maxillofacial surgery

New drug can 'revolutionize' oral and maxillofacial surgery

October 22, 2007 -- Infuse Bone Graft -- a drug used in orthopedic procedures that stimulates stem cells to form bone -- has recently been approved by the FDA for dental use.

The drug consists of two parts: a solution containing rhBMP-2 (recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2) and the ACS (absorbable collagen sponge). It can be highly useful in oral and maxillofacial procedures. Surgeons at the School of Dentistry, Loma Linda University have successfully used Infuse to do reconstruction surgery on gunshot and trauma victims, as well as patients with cleft palates and oral cancer.

Until recently, surgeons harvested bone needed for reconstruction surgery from the patient's own hip or ribs. "This is painful, and requires a second surgery site [on the patient]," said Philip Boyne, D.M.D., M.S., D.Sc., professor emeritus of oral and maxillofacial surgery at Loma Linda, in a press release. Infuse can eliminate this entire process from oral and maxillofacial reconstruction surgery.

"The cleft palate cases are particularly rewarding," Dr. Boyne said. "This new drug makes a second surgery unnecessary and the bone generated from the patient's own stem cells forms bone that beautifully completes the natural arch. And the sponge doesn't have to be removed -- it is eventually absorbed by the body."

Infuse can be used in many areas of dentistry and will save patients considerable time and money. For example, cleft palate cases can be an outpatient procedure, saving insurers as much as $15,000, according to Dr. Boyne.


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Something to smile about

Something to smile about

October 22, 2007 -- October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month and according to the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) five million people are victims of domestic violence in the U.S. every year.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation's (AACDCF) Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program provides free dental care to victims of domestic abuse. They restore broken and damaged teeth at no cost to the victim. To date the foundation has treated 600 cases at a total cost of nearly $5 million.

"After suffering abuse, it is difficult for survivors to find something to smile about, and it's even harder when they don't have a smile to show. Time after time we have witnessed AACD members assist survivors of domestic violence by treating their dental injuries, restoring their smiles, their self-esteem and their lives," said AACD Foundation Director Erin Roberts in a press release.

If one of your patients is a victim in need of help, have them call GBAS at (800) 773-4227 and complete the application process. The AACD will connect eligible applicants with a local GBAS volunteer for treatment.


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Preventing Dental Dangers With Natural Mouthwashes Like Ora Dr

Preventing Dental Dangers With Natural Mouthwashes Like Ora Dr

It's generally significant to learn exactly what you are putting inside of your mouth given that it are able to impact ones dental well being. Recognizing the ingredients of your mouth wash can help you establish if perhaps it is helpful or perhaps could do further harm. Whilst the marketplace is full of shelves that are full of products made out of great amount of chemicals, all-natural solutions such as Ora Dr are nonetheless being used by the majority. Perhaps these individuals really opt for a more organic and natural lifestyle seeing that they are aware of the features of products such as natural mouthwash.

There are actually countless attributes to all-natural mouthwash and all-natural products in general. Being aware of such benefits could aid you find out why all-natural mouthwashes including Ora Dr are generally better solutions for your dental wellbeing. In addition to your normal oral hygiene, choosing the appropriate products helps promotes the effectiveness and defense of your teeth and gums towards probable oral threats.

When you are planning to evaluate the strength of a mouth wash like Ora Dr then you ought to understand exactly what it is that you wish that mouth wash to do. A mouthwash might have various claims however if ever it won't achieve the tasks you want it to consequently it is not the one for you. And so exactly what do you really need?

You might believe that the ingredients don't matter since you are gonna swish your mouth wash all-around and splutter it back out anyways. The fact is that the lining in your mouth carries the capability to soak up things instantly without requiring the need for swallowing. When you lay something within your mouth then there is a danger that a few of the item would get in past the mouth and towards the other areas of the body.

Not like all-natural mouthwashes such as Ora Dr, excessive alcohol contents can be often found on standard mouthwashes. This higher alcohol content might upset the lining of your mouth. It could cause even extra soreness for individuals suffering from hypersensitive gums. That tingling feeling has come to be anticipated by many who employ mouth wash. They consider it to simply be a part of the experience. The fact is, it is the ingredients inside commercial mouthwash which create this experience.

Considering it lacks this high alcohol content, all-natural mouth wash like Ora Dr is actually milder on your mouth. The organic ingredients aid to deliver the functions of mouthwash by a natural method. This can aid users to eliminate the level of annoyance and suffering that quite a few conventional mouthwash remedies can establish.

At present, there are healthy ingredients around which may guide to eliminate bacteria and, thus, can aid to overcome oral problems like bad breath, sore gums and perhaps symptoms of gum disease. It is that effortless. The correct all-natural ingredients could help to execute these jobs. All you have to undertake is to look for these all-natural ingredients before buying your mouthwash.

The real way to determine just how beneficial an all-natural mouthwash such as Ora Dr could be is to use it. You could read numerous opinions and weigh the pros and cons for a long time though the pure method to consider precisely how good natural mouthwash operates is simply to test it. You might end up living a more holistic lifestyle faster than you think.

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