Dentaltown February 2024 - 33

upon the path and as we go down
this path, we're going to find ourselves
drawn into the rabbit hole.
We are changing, affecting and
saving lives. What is going to make the
difference in being able to successfully
integrate this with the least amount
of stress is systems. Having the right
systems and protocols in place can
make for a very seamless integration
into everyday dentistry.
Establishing relationships within
the profession can be tricky
enough. How should dentists go
about connecting with the medical
community at large? What works?
What doesn't work?
Our license allows us to screen
patients for sleep issues, have the necessary
conversations and offer treatment.
What we are not allowed to do
is diagnose patients with sleep apnea.
Working with our medical colleagues
is a key part of being able to serve
our adult and pediatric patients who
may suffer from sleep-disordered
breathing.
One common mistake I see dentists
make is trying to connect with
medical colleagues without building a
relationship around how we can serve
our patients as a team. What I have
found works well is connecting with
and communicating with MDs along
with routine and regular follow-ups,
be it via email or letters-especially
when it comes to mutual patients who
suffer from sleep-disordered breathing
we may be treating.
What doesn't work as effectively,
in my experience, is dropping off
business cards or referral slips at
any office and asking them to refer
their patients to us. Just because we
provide a service that is very valuable
doesn't always mean we'll be able to
create that connection with other
like-minded professionals. Sometimes,
time is all that is needed. Consistency
is key. Making sure we're in constant
communication with our medical colleagues
regarding our mutual patients
and the status of their treatment
processes goes a long way.
Give us an overview of other
types of clinical work you
especially enjoy.
I'm still a general dentist at heart.
This means that I still enjoy getting
patients out of pain and helping them
improve their smiles, along with saving
their lives.
Over time, I have realized which
procedures bring me the most joy, and
I have found myself drifting into a lane
where I perform only the procedures
that give me happiness and bring
great satisfaction. Along with sleep
services, I enjoy doing LANAP procedures
for our patients who need the
treatment to help with their advanced
or severe periodontal disease. I also
enjoy full-mouth rehab procedures to
help patients who have worn-down
dentition as we consider addressing
their sleep. Invisalign is another procedure
that makes up a fair amount of
my treatment that I enjoy, as is pinhole
gum rejuvenation.
He'd been so sure
he was going to
die from his sleep
apnea that he slept
with his front door
unlocked, because
he didn't want to
give his wife, who
lived and worked
in another town,
one more thing to
take care of if the
paramedics had
to break down the
door to get to him.
FEBRUARY 2024 | 33 | DENTALTOWN.COM
Walk us through your office.
What are your favorite elements?
Our office is a space that brings me
joy! When you walk in, the front
desk and waiting area are open and
expansive, allowing for easy communication
between my team members
and patients.
We have a Prexion Excelsior CBCT
unit, which allows us to screen
patients effectively and comprehensively.
This unit has airway screening
capabilities that let us screen the
patients for airway, too.
As we walk into the back, we have
eight operatories, a lab and sterilization
space, a break room for the
team and the doctor's office. All of our
operatories have overhead screens so
patients can watch TV if they would
like to while they lay back. The dental
chairs have heat and massage options,
which patients seem to especially
enjoy because it helps them relax
during their time in the chair.
Like any other dentist, I love the
shiny new toys (aka technology and
http://www.DENTALTOWN.COM
Dentaltown February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown February 2024
