WRITTEN BY
Lori Trost, DMD, Editor
Dr. Lori Trost, Woman Dentist Journal editor, recently caught up with Dr. Kristy Vetter, the Xtreme Practice Makeover winner, to see how she and her team were progressing. Here’s what they had to say.
Woman Dentist Journal: What has been the biggest change in your practice since you were selected as Woman Dentist Journal’s Xtreme Practice Makeover winner?
Dr. Kristy Vetter: By and large, going digital with Dentrix practice management and imaging software, intraoral camera, and digital X-ray sensors. We were not computerized before and this puts our office at the forefront of technology.
WDJ: What was the easiest change to implement?
KV: The scripting that the Levin Group has given us has been the easiest. It is the same stuff we’ve been saying for years, but now we just say it a little differently, and it makes so much more sense. It is easy to implement!
WDJ: Has there been any aspect of your “makeover” that has been more challenging or more difficult for you or your team members?
KV: Not knowing what exactly an Xtreme Practice Makeover is. I mean, the only thing we and our patients have to compare it with is TV, and the real world isn’t like TV. It doesn’t take only seven days to give your practice a makeover in the real world. So I think the hardest part has been not knowing what to expect and where it is all going. It can be very scary, and so is change.
WDJ: What have been some of your product implementation highlights?
KV: Here are several ...
Kerr - I have had a lot of success with the new Standout Impression material from Kerr, and with their Premise composite. Not only is it easy to use, but it is very easy to pack, polish, and blend into the surrounding tooth structure. I have also tried Expasyl. It is hard to use at first, but I am finally getting the hang of it. It is fantastic for cleaning up tissue prior to a cementation where you have bleeding gums and tissue that is in the way. I have also used it prior to a composite where I needed retraction and bleeding control.
3M/ESPE - I also think one of my favorite things is the Elipar Free Light 2, a high-speed curing light from 3M/ESPE. For all those dentists who are still sitting in awkward positions trying not to let the tongue hit the composite for 40 seconds, this light is awesome. Being cordless and portable from room to room is a win-win.
DUX - The tub system from DUX Dental has kept my assistant very organized. When I ask for something, it is right there in the tub and easy for her to reach.
Dentrix - We now have the complete computer software to make our office a business.
Smart Practice - They have been amazing! They have been working with us on both internal marketing and new patient attraction - mugs, magnets, and tote bags. We really like their incredible new designs. They sent me a beautiful picture of cosmetic dentistry that can be illuminated all night so that people who pass the office stop to see it. It is a great marketing tool for us, because we have a restaurant in our complex that is very busy at night. I can change it with different pictures also. The company is helping me with some before-and-after cosmetic postcards of my own work and mailers to increase my new patient pool. They have been so generous.
Crown Seating - We now have ergonomic stools for me and my assistant that were built for our smaller bodies. They fit us much better.
Young Dental - Young Dental sent two huge boxes of products. My hygienists are singing their praises because they sent tons of prophy angles and polish paste as well as vacuum flushing products and Birex andNeutraVac vacuum line cleaner and evacuation tips.
OMNII - Omnii brought over a gift basket of product samples, including their saliva substitutes and xylitol products.
AXIS - We have been using the burs and polishing wheels they gave us.
Hu-Friedy - We got eight Double Decker cassettes to complement our existing system. This system is excellent because it not only organizes, but it maintains our instruments properly. My hygienists also love the Sidekick sharpener.
Waterpik - We received a starter kit of products from Waterpik along with samples, research and education materials, product information, and patient education materials for the entire staff.
KaVo - We received and have really enjoyed using the DIAGNOdent. What a great tool!
Kodak - We got their latest and greatest extraoral camera - the Kodak DX7590 Dental Digital Camera System! I now take before-and-after pictures of my work and critique it on a daily basis. I can tell you one thing ... crowns, veneers, and fillings look a lot different when they are on a 17-inch monitor. It can be a humbling yet rewarding experience. It teaches you a lot.
Motivations by Mouth - We received three nicely framed pictures to place in our consultation room. They also kindly sent us recall cards to match the pictures.
Sonicare - They gave the staff new brushes and did a fantastic “lunch and learn.”
Levin Group - The entire office has been undergoing a year-long consultation offering.
WDJ: What has been your personal favorite?
KV: My Orascoptic loupes are probably my favorite thing. I have used the clip-on Lumen Arc light with it, and though I look like a dork, it is amazing to really be able to see the distal of Nos. 2 and 15. I think it is a must-have. I use it on all posterior work now. The light even has a special filter for use when doing composites.
WDJ: What kind of help, education, or support have the various manufacturers provided for you?
KV: Kerr did an onsite tour and classroom presentation at their manufacturing facility in Orange, Calif., and also sent me to a CE course. Sonicare and Omnii came in and did “lunch and learns” on their products. We have another one set up with Ultradent next week. Dentrix has included full-service staff training with their package. Many of the reps came in and showed me how to use their products as they were delivered, like the DIAGNOdent and the digital extraoral camera from Kodak, so I was given hands-on lessons. They were great. I even used the DIAGNOdent on my assistant while the rep was still there coaching me.
WDJ: Have your patients taken notice, and what has been their reaction?
KV: We have a copy of the January 2005 issue of Woman Dentist Journal in our reception area, and LoAnn tells all the patients about our makeover and encourages them to read the article. They have taken notice and are all very excited. Since they can’t visibly see the makeover, they remain a bit confused. So I have decided to have someone come in and paint, and then I want to get new carpet. I am hoping to have paint done by August and carpet by December.
WDJ: What, if anything, has prevented or hindered you in the past from making these changes or adopting newer ideas/systems/direction?
KV: Being a new practice owner and a lack of knowledge kept me from doing a lot, as well as lack of money. I just bought the practice in February 2004. I had no idea how to run a practice, make a budget, try new things, or anything like that. So this makeover has been a huge blessing for my team and me. I can’t begin to tell you how amazing it has been to have the opportunity to work with all of these new products, meet all the reps, and attend the Levin Group consultations. I am still pinching myself on a regular basis.
WDJ: How has this makeover helped you professionally and personally?
KV: Professionally, using the digital camera has really made me a better dentist. Personally, this makeover has given me hope. I was very discouraged my first six months of practice. With my son getting hurt, my former boss passing away, and running my business in the red, I was a mess! This makeover has changed my life.
WDJ: Will this growth continue and if so, how do you plan on going about it?
KV: YES! I think with the continued support of the Levin Group, we are planning on continuing to grow for many years. We had 17 new patients last month alone. Good stuff for us.
WDJ: Could your team members, specifically hygiene, assistants, and front office, give their comments on how the makeover has impacted them and their care level for your patients?
LoAnn (office administrator): I feel that our team is now highly educated through the Levin training so our customer care has been raised. The new technology has given our office the most state-of-the-art products and equipment to offer our patients.
Kirsti (hygienist): The makeover has been wonderful. I feel that being able to dispense the Rotadent and the Waterpik right in our office has really enhanced our soft-tissue management program. I am better able to treat my patients’ periodontal needs and have learned a lot about presenting dental treatment and creating value with the use of our new scripting. Traveling together as an office to Baltimore for the Levin Group continuing education has been a lot of fun and a great team-building experience.
Nancy (back office assistant): The makeover has increased my motivation tremendously. I look forward to each day with enthusiasm and higher expectations of myself. I know the care we give our patients now is much more profound, and we can enjoy knowing we are giving our patients the “WOW” experience.
Irene (hygienist): I feel excited to be able to offer our patients better care with advanced technology and equipment. These new tools enable us to feel more professional, and the new decor will add a great deal to our office. Many patients equate a good looking office with quality dental care. I feel like this makeover completes us as an office. ■
Editor’s Note: Watch for further updates about the Xtreme Practice Makeover in future issues.
