Optimizing the Operatories
In order to create efficiencies when merging the two practices, the doctors agreed to compromise regarding their equipment and technology preferences. To research all available options, Long and Phillips, along with A-dec, hosted the doctors on a trip to the A-dec headquarters in Newberg, Ore. Dr. Diehl was the only doctor who previously had A-dec in his practice and says that it was nice for his partners to be able to visit the showroom and experience the equipment first-hand.
The doctors selected A-dec 511 and Decade Plus 1221 chairs, A-dec Central and Rear treatment cabinetry and A-dec 532, 545 and 2122 delivery units, and they took advantage of the opportunity to customize with countertops in dark and light slate.
Due to the doctors’ shift schedule, the operatories sometimes would be shared, especially by hygiene, so symmetrical design was important. Phillips says that the cabinetry they selected features a place for everything. “Patterson and A-dec were instrumental in helping us make sure that the equipment cabinetry in the operatories would help with the consistency,“ Dr. Schwartz says.
ARTICLE TOOLS
 PRINT
 SHARE
Phillips helped the doctors select W&H electric handpieces with Schick intraoral cameras. “Of all the new technology we have, I like digital radiography the best,” Dr. Comeau says. “You can see something, make it bigger, change the contrast.” He also praised the technology’s ability to show the patient exactly what the doctor is seeing, which helps increase trust and case acceptance.
Rather than buy a brand-new digital X-ray unit, they retrofitted their film-based PLANMECA with the Schick iPan, which allows it to work seamlessly with Schick’s intraoral sensors and camera. “In Steamboat, everyone’s green,” Phillips says. “They had a lot of patients asking about digital and reducing radiation exposure.”
One of the biggest changes for the doctors was regarding their practice management software. Dr. Diehl used one system and Drs. Comeau and Schwartz used another. In order for their new digital equipment to most easily “talk” with their computers, Long recommended Eaglesoft practice management software, which works seamlessly with Schick, and the doctors agreed that it would be best to switch everyone to a new software. They also plan to become a paperless practice in the future, and Eaglesoft will easily facilitate that transition.
|
|
| |
|
|
© 2024 Patterson Dental. All rights reserved.
