Sheila Clancy, CDA, MBA, from Clancy Consulting, spoke to Dental Assistants on Tuesday, March 9, 2010. The presentation was titled “Straight Talk: The Mechanics of Communication and Conflict Resolution.”

Dinner was provided by IDDS and Somer Dental Lab. We met at  the Benco offices on West 74^th Street.

Ms. Clancy pointed out dental care is often stressful for patients and we may not be seeing them at their best. Also, small groups that work together everyday in close proximity can inadvertently generate stress and tension.

Ms. Clancy offered tips on communicating with patients and other staff members. Generally speaking, we covered 3 areas:

1. What skills do you need for effective communication with patients?
2. What approaches are successful when faced with confrontation?
3. How can you achieve “constructive confrontation?”

 Check out Images from the meeting!

Somer Dental Lab will team with Ivoclar Vivadent on Thursday April 1 from 6-8:30 PM at Carmel Hampton Inn for a program on e.max line of restorations. Our focus is primarily e.maxCAD and Press, the 2 materials that have proven themselves to find practical application every day.

You may have noticed the advertising war between 3M’s Lava Zirconia and Ivoclar’s Lithium Disilicate materials.  These were red hot topics at Lab Day in Chicago. This is a great opportunity to hear the Lithium Disilicate story, so please plan to attend.

This program is exclusively for Somer’s current accounts. Call Ted to reserve a place.

Click here for CE and additional info!

Tips and Tricks for Restoring Implants

On Wednesday, March 24, the Indianapolis District Dental Society will sponsor a program for dentists in practice 5 years or less. IDDS has organized this unique opportunity in conjunction with the Association of Indiana Dental Labs.

We will meet at Meridian Hills Country Club for serious snacks and refreshments from 5:30 to 6:30. The program will run from 6:30 to 8:30. 2 hours of CE will be awarded. Admission is $10.

Two speakers are featured. Dwight Rickert, CDT, from Preferred Dental Ceramics will discuss lab communication needs and Larry Sowinski, CDT, Somer Dental Lab, will discuss successful implant restorations.

The meeting promises to be a wonderful opportunity for the newer practitioner to learn from experienced Certified Laboratory Technicians and her or his peers.

Call the Indianapolis District Dental Society to register at 317.471.8131

Mark your calendars for the Somer Winter Technical Meeting Friday, January 22, 2010 at the Carmel Hampton Inn from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.

Heraeus Kulzer’s national trainer will join us for Dentures A to Z. We’ll be covering impressions, Over Dentures and Ultra Suction. CE will be awarded and breakfast isincluded. There is no fee; the program is offered by Somer and Heraeus Kulzer.

Conventional wisdom is that economic downturns generate denture cases. Certainly our denture department is busier than ever. Take advantage of the economy and pick-up some tips for better dentures. Call Ted to register today!

Many patients are well served with office fabricated night guards. But did you know Brux-eze go through a curing cycle of 3500 psi to 5000 psi at 158o for 8 hours? It is this cycle that guarantees a strong, flexible appliance that will give patients years of service.

What are your opportunities to prescribe lab fabricated night guards? Are night guards consistent with your practice philosophy?

1. Do you believe night guards can protect natural dentition and porcelain?
2. Do you ever see patients with prematurely worn teeth?
3. Do you ever do crowns on worn teeth but still don’t prescribe a night guard?
4. Could night guards be a good idea for all cosmetic cases?

If you would like further information, call Ted at Somer.