We use 4910, then 3 months later bring the patient back for 4910 and D0120 (exam).

I just finished a sterilization CE a couple of weeks ago. Instruments should definitely be bagged before going in the autoclave. Like Hygenius suggested, I would find research, CE’s, etc. to back your argument. I took an online CE course one time and printed pages from the CE that provided valuable info for my office — I highlighted specific portions that applied to questions some of our staff had.

I show patients a chart that explains perio probing and explain bone loss so they understand the mechanics behind periodontal disease. Once they understand WHY perio maintenance is done, then it’s easier for them to grasp why a prophy is insufficient in bringing them to optimal oral health.

I use shaded lenses, so I always tell the patient it will help against my bright light and I also point out potential spatter. Most people like my “shades” so much, they forget they have them on or ask if they can keep them (they do look like cool sunglasses). If someone is already wearing glasses, I offer them the choice between keeping their own glasses on or using mine. A few new patients are surprised, but most appreciate the gesture.

Our office uses Crest products and have never had any issues with patients (other than the occasional patient mentioning sloughing). The Pro Health sometimes causes me to slough, but it hasn’t been harmful to me and it doesn’t bother me. We also get Sensodyne products (free samples from a rep). I am at a corporate dental office and we have never been given the option to order any products other than Crest.

We sell Oral B, bottles of chlorhexadine, Fluoridex toothpaste and M/I paste, as well as Breath Rx. Selling does go toward production, but our hygiene production goals are so high I’ve only gotten bonus once in over 2 years. The hygienists in my office are on a separate bonus system from the rest of the office — the other employees get bonus all the time because the office as a whole has met their goal.

I’ve used the cavitron with both hep and HIV patients with no issues. We were told in school to treat every patient (as far as using PPE’s) as if they had something such as hep or HIV/AIDS because you may be treating someone that doesn’t even know they have a disease/condition.

Our office policy is similar to “imgrinnin’s” response. It can vary widely depending on the maturity of the child, spacing and how wide their mouth can open to accommodate the digital sensor.

Depends on the child — for fluoride at home, a child as young as one can have a touch of fluoridated toothpaste on occasion, but I don’t recommend a fluoride toothpaste for regular brushing (or something like ACT) until the child is able to spit it out. No particular age for varnish, either…depends on whether or not the child can handle having it on their teeth.

Small dry angles for the cheeks really help me, as well as a cotton roll by the tongue, if necessary. If we have a child who we cannot keep dry (even with help), we will use Vertise Flow instead of sealant material. It doesn’t require a squeaky dry field and etching is not necessary. I also retract the tongue with low suction to keep things dry. It can be tough without a second set of hands sometimes!