XO CARE – previously known as Flex Dental – has been a pioneer within ergonomic dentistry since the seventies. But ergonomics is not all what a successful dentist should care about. Basing on examples, Extraordinary Dentistry app explains how the dental team can perform better treatments and provide patients with the best possible experience. It is perceived as a crucial prerequisite that the dental team avoids burnout and remains healthy through ergonomic work. The app also analyzes how the dental team’s efficiency and financial performance of the clinic can be improved.
Extraordinary Dentistry app focuses on four aspects of running a dental practice:
PROFESSIONAL DENTISTRY
The highest possible focus and concentration on the work area in the mouth of the patient is crucial for professional treatments. It can be achieved by having unit instruments centrally located above a patients chest, so that both dentist and dental assistant can get a hold of the instruments without looking away from a work area. Dental workstation should be foot operated, so that hands are kept free for the actual work.
CARING DENTISTRY
Patient’s safety, confidence and comfort are important for their satisfaction. Anti-bacterial coating, autoclavable handles and hands-free operation protect patients from cross-contamination. In order to decrease stress factors for a patient it is important that they do not have an eye contact with unit instruments, both before and during a treatment. Finally, a patient’s comfort further adds to overall satisfaction. The patient chair should be designed with elbow rests and a stable and comfortable neckrest. Memory foam in the upholstery will further add to patient’s comfort during longer treatments.
ERGONOMIC DENTISTRY
Dental team should, at the same time, sit, see and work well. A patient chair should have enough room for the dental teams legs and feet, so that practitioners could sit in positions from 9:00 to 12:00. Combined with the six different patient positions, the dentist can see all surfaces of all teeth – in proper working positions. Unit instruments should be located where dental team needs them – centrally over the chest of the patient. Individually balanced suspensions will eliminate strains in fingers, hands, arms and shoulders. This ensures that both dentist and dental assistant work well without tactility disturbances.
ECONOMIC DENTISTRY
There is also an economic aspect of running a dental practice. Many dentists focus on the purchase price when investing in a new unit, but it is its usability that is really important. The dental workstation should make it possible to save time through efficient four-hand work, or to save costs when working solo and be reliable to prevent workstation failures.