As a long time chairside assistant, it was my sworn duty to do the best job I could to help increase patient retention and office productivity. With today's technology changing, well on a daily basis, it is our duty as dental professionals to stay on top of new improvements and changes.

As a advocate of continuing education for the entire dental team, I wish to thank the state dental associations that are starting to provide CE specific to each member of the team.  Because I am a dental assistant and a product educator, I find that when dental assistants are handing chemistry to a doctor to place in a patient's mouth, the dental assistant should know the proper placement technique and handling issues associated with that specific chemistry.

I'm a hybrid layer freak.  As I say when doing lectures and educating our future dentists..."The hybrid layer can make or break your practice".  We are all so "rushed" and seem to take it (the hybrid layer) for granted.  Now is the time to slow down and apply your products according to the manufacturer's recommendations.  It is also the time to sit down and discuss the instructions and storage recommendations with every member of the team that might come in contact with that said product.  We must also stop assuming that all products are created equal, so please take time to read the instructions.

You can also pat yourself on the back if you go to regular continuing education programs...and doctors, if it has to do with a clinical procedure, take your dental assistant along with you.

I just returned from speaking at the Connecticut State Dental Association meeting.  Kudos to CSDA for having such nice auxiliary track programs, and thank you doctors for attending my adhesive program.  I might not have a DDS, or a DMD, but I do have tons of experience and I work for Ultradent...a education and research based company. I read, read, read and use the World Wide Web to find out just about anything on all different types of products.

If you have questions or concerns because a product doesn't seem to be working right for you, you can always go to the company website and look up FAQ's...frequently asked questions.

Increased productivity, happier patients with long lasting dentistry, and better educated team members are only a click away.  Webinars and Podcasts are also available...inexpensive and easy.

I would also appreciate the support of dentists across the country by asking htem to send their chairside assistants to CE.  I will be lecturing on May 31st in Loma Linda, CA...Secrets to Successful Dental Assisting.  The FNDC in Orlando in June is offering a wide variety of programs for team members as well.  I am fortunate to do 2 days on adhesive dentistry and 1 day on whitening.  In July I will also be at the PNDC in Seattle, Washington.  Great things are happening and you can be part of it!

I would like to thank Ultradent and Dr. Dan Fischer for being such a great mentor and educator in my life for the past 13 years, and I would love to thank all the state associations that are starting to promote excellence in education as well.

Be the sponge...soak up as much knowledge as you can.  Your practice will be happy, as well as your pocketbook.

Happy Education!

Victoria