That is an authentic weblog submit from Dr. Gupreet Sidhu, D.D.S., Langley, BC
Haley got here to me three years in the past and mentioned she had an ideal lunch the place she realized a couple of new Fluoride varnish she had an opportunity to strive from Oral Science. It was totally different in its common make-up as a result of it didn’t have the cheesy really feel most varnishes have. As much as that time, we had been principally utilizing a standard PCxx thixotropic 1.23% APF gel. Usually, sufferers have been okay with it, however we at all times had a good variety of sufferers who declined fluoride due to style issues, upset stomachs, not with the ability to eat for half-hour afterward, and even simply common discomfort with the process. It was at all times one thing I used to be conscious of on the workplace (Lighthouse Dental Centre), however from the time I used to be in dental faculty, this was nonetheless thought-about the popular methodology of Fluoride software.
From a time-efficiency perspective, I’ve at all times felt gel fluoride hasn’t been the most effective product for a number of causes:
- The complete course of takes about 4-5 minutes by the point you sit up the affected person, select the correct trays, load the gel, and permit the affected person to expectorate for 30-60 seconds afterwards.
- When operating a busy apply, if I’m coming in for an examination, and it’s the beginning of the Fluoride software, then I’m ready, and consequently, my different affected person is ready for me to return as properly.
- The hygienist continuously solely has 60 minutes to overview the affected person’s medical historical past, probe enamel, take X-rays, full the cleansing, prophy, floss, await the examination, clear the room, and arrange for the following affected person. Each minute counts.
We used a number of varnishes, however the varnish we predominantly used was a 3M product referred to as Vanish. We usually would use this on sufferers that declined the gel or had a excessive incidence of cavities. Vanish is available in a Unidose bundle, which inherently will increase the CPP (Price per affected person), nevertheless it does have some nice properties like a 24-hour Fluoride launch time, simple software, and no have to dry the enamel. It additionally labored nice with sensitivity alongside the gum line, however nearly all sufferers would touch upon how the enamel didn’t really feel “clear” afterward due to the tackiness brought on by the pine tree sap ingredient often called colophony or rosin.
I say all of the above to say this: My hygienists and I’ve been in search of a product with all of the constructive attributes I’ve talked about with out the drawbacks that retract from the affected person expertise.
Then, alongside got here Fluorimax.
Oral Science does an ideal job explaining what Colophony-free means when it comes to product thickness, however in our real-world software, what it actually means is a significantly better affected person expertise. The food-grade shellac permits the appliance to be very skinny and nearly invisible. We use this product on 100% of our sufferers, and thru the hundreds of hygiene sufferers we’ve seen, not a single affected person has complained or has not been in a position to tolerate the Fluoride software.
Like Vanish, the Shellac works properly for hypersensitivity, and we now have had nice success with utilizing it earlier than an ultrasonic cleansing to lower sensitivity and discomfort throughout instrumentation.
By way of the time it takes to use, the CDA and hygienist can apply the fluoride in beneath a minute, making it rather more environment friendly for the apply. Due to the thinness, I can do an examination any time earlier than or after the appliance.
We usually use two flavours: mint and bubble gum. As anticipated, the youngsters love bubble gum, and most adults want mint. As a substitute, a caramel flavour can also be out there. Alongside the way in which, we definitely discovered it’s essential to observe instructions and shake the bottle for 15 seconds earlier than dishing out the Fluoride to stop settling. If we don’t do this, sufferers will discover an acidic style from the appliance, however as soon as the Fluoride is correctly blended, it’s fairly nice for the affected person. They actually love the truth that they’ll eat and brush usually after the appointment. Dental professionals all have these sufferers who get so hungry within the chair, they usually need to get out to seize a snack immediately!
Regarding price with 585 drops in a single bottle, it’s extremely cost-effective, and it decreases the related hygiene overhead. Every affected person is barely totally different, so we will dial in how a lot varnish we need to dispense per affected person.
I not too long ago took over a second dental workplace (Blue Water Dental) that has a longtime affected person base of over 40 years. Each hygienists have been training for many years, they usually love this product a lot it took solely sooner or later of software to appreciate that this was going to be the way forward for our hygiene program. With it being extra comfy, it has undoubtedly enhanced affected person compliance.
Quite a few instances, we had sufferers who at all times denied Fluoride software, who are actually transformed to Fluoride customers after we’ve satisfied them to strive Fluorimax. It actually is totally different than something available on the market.
Considered one of my favorite quotes, “None of us are smarter than all of us,” is a precept that has helped our enterprise develop. By listening to others who’ve been on the same path in progress and improvement, we’ve been in a position to evolve. I approached Oral science to provide my genuine suggestions on their product to succeed in a broader viewers to hopefully assist different dentists and apply homeowners improve their providers for his or her sufferers and enhance effectivity and profitability.