Sheri Suggests -- Highlights from the ADA show floor

In this occasional series, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares her perspective on various dental instruments, materials, and equipment. These are products Dr. Doniger personally uses or has tested in her practice.

For those of you who attended the ADA annual session in Las Vegas this month, there was ample time to take continuing education, visit the vast exhibit floor, and take in a show or two.

In the exhibit hall, amid the massive displays and showgirls walking the floor, I did find a few interesting products for you to check out.

Henry Schein launched a new program called Total Health -- Beyond the Mouth. This is an outstanding patient education program that offers teachable moments to our patients. Patients complete a checklist with various questions to assess both their oral and general health. This may be given at an initial consultation or periodic preventive recare appointments. Each group of questions are associated with several "beyond the mouth" connections, such as periodontal link to heart disease, diabetes and pregnancy issues, oral cancer, and sleep disorders. These are all excellent conversation points to discuss the links between oral and systemic health.

On another health note, First Response Med Alert is a great addition to my mission to get every dental office to dispense information on MedicAlert jewelry. This program allows professionals to promote personal well-being through individualized emergency technology. Included in the program is a voice-to-voice pendant that covers a range of 5,000 sq ft. Other systems do not have that range. The technology will also work in the yard, where other programs only work within the radius of the house. But the best feature is the direct, two-way communication with emergency personnel. First Response Medicalert is a great way to extend our caring outside of the dental office.

Meanwhile, Crown Seating has done it again. The company has created an amazing addition to its ergonomic line of dental stools by offering a line that includes an office chair. Virtù dental chairs were designed by Steve Knight, former Le Mans race car driver who had been experiencing some pain in his postdriving career. The chairs feature ZenWave technology for stress-free back support. The Virtù also offers a forward tilted active seating position, allowing the pelvis to tip forward, preventing back injury. In addition, it will decline to give the back a rest. These chairs are outstanding for the business office and dentist's private office, as well as operator chairs. The ability to rest your back, with the added bonus of a backrest that gently massages the lumbar spine, will add years to your practice life.

Triodent has always been innovative. But the 360° Cervical Matrix is truly one of the company's best. I have tried this product and cannot stop talking about it. Utilizing the Triodent pin tweezers forceps to hold onto the tab, the clear matrix has the ability to move in a 360° motion to access any tooth surface. It's ergonomic because no unnecessary twisting or turning is needed to accomplish perfect placement. It can also be placed subgingivally to give a great gingival seal. You cure through the matrix so there is no worry about moving the position. When you are finished, a perfect class V restoration appears. The matrix is flexible enough to be pinched to increase the curvature but does not lose its shape while being pressed onto the tooth.

Sheri Doniger, DDS, practices clinical dentistry in Lincolnwood, IL. She has served as an educator in several dental and dental hygiene programs, has been a consultant for a major dental benefits company, and has written for several dental publications. Most recently, she was the editor of Woman Dentist Journal and Woman Dentist eJournal. You can reach her at [email protected].

The comments and observations expressed herein do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DrBicuspid.com, nor should they be construed as an endorsement or admonishment of any particular idea, vendor, or organization.