The above quote from Aboriginal artist/activist Lilla Watson is exactly how I would define my experience at Pacific Dental Services®. From the simplest interactions with co-workers at the coffee-machine, to the more challenging process of trying to deliver the message of We Serve out to everyone in the company.

To briefly introduce myself, my name is Ivana Shepard and I am a graduate student at Chapman University. Shortly, I’ll be graduating with a degree in International studies. Woo hoo!

This summer I interned with Kyle and Chelsey in the We Serve Department. Although most of the people refer to it as the FUN Department! There exists a deeper, more deliberate purpose of We Serve, and that is to unlock the economic and social value through doing good.

And how did this exactly translate to my contribution at PDS®?

I spent a great deal of my time at PDS planning and executing events. Altogether, I have organized two events, one for the interns at the South County Outreach and one for the National Support Center employees at the Back Bay Therapeutic Riding Club.

Ivana volunteering at the Back Bay Therapeutic Riding Club

As part of the volunteer planning, I have also pioneered the process for setting up volunteer events in the Region, particularly in Brighton and Phoenix area, that I hope will set an example for the rest of the offices in the future.

While working on the volunteer events, I kept asking myself: why do people volunteer? Many participate in volunteering because it creates a value for the community. While this is true, volunteering also increases employee performance, loyalty and morale, develops employee skills, spurs innovation and creativity, improves employee relations, attributes to higher levels of life satisfaction, and not to forget the business case, it mitigates employee turnover and saves the company valuable resources.

After doing some research here at PDS, findings show a definite positive correlation between volunteering and employee retention.

PDS has provided situations that I would never face in the classroom, for which I am forever thankful. The We Serve Department in particular has given me room to think creatively and make decisions on my own. Most importantly, it has shown me that it’s not the job itself, but the culture that makes the employees thrive.

Thank you, PDS, for a wonderful opportunity!

Pacific Dental Services Summer 2017 Interns at South County Outreach during a We Serve event

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Dr. Scott Keys, PDS®-supported owner dentist and PDS Institute® faculty member, authored the article, Four ‘Keys’ for Getting Dental Patients to ‘Yes’, that was recently published in Dentistry iQ. In the article, Dr. Keys shares four keys that every dentist can do while presenting treatment options to patients to help those patients make better decisions about their dental health without feeling pressured into treatment.

“In my experience, there are many techniques and catchy phrases that can help motivate patients to proceed with care, but these techniques often lead to buyer’s remorse and failed appointments.” It’s important that patients are well educated on their treatment options and are confident in their decision to move forward with the treatment option that makes the most sense for their situation.

Four tips Dr. Keys takes a closer look at in the article are as follows.

1. Use digital photography
2. Exceed patients’ expectations of the dental experience
3. Be available
4. Meet patients where they are

Taking care of patients is the utmost priority. Dr. Keys says, “We have the ability to help people and make a difference in their dental experiences and even in their overall lives.” Presenting treatment options to patients in a way that makes them feel comfortable and confident allows them to make the best decisions.

To access Dr. Keys’ tips in greater detail, review his article: Four ‘Keys’ for Getting Dental Patients to ‘Yes’.

Dr. Scott Keys

About Dr. Scott Keys

Dr. Scott Keys graduated from Louisiana State University School of Dentistry in 1996 and is a PDS®-supported owner dentist. In his 20 years of practice experience, Dr. Keys has been recognized as a subject matter expert in atraumatic extraction and socket preservation bone grafting. He has had numerous speaking engagements, published articles, and more. To learn more about Dr. Scott Keys, visit his PDS Intitute® faculty page.

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Dr. Dhaval Patel, PDS®-supported owner dentist and PDS Institute® faculty member, recently presented the webinar, Find Me if You Can: The CEREC Chameleon Effect. The recorded webinar focuses on making a single unit CAD/CAM restoration blend with adjacent teeth and can be accessed on demand through the CDEWorld continuing education (CE) platform.

The recorded webinar can be accessed on-demand through the CDEWorld continuing education (CE) website. View the full webinar: Find Me if You Can: The CEREC Chameleon Effect

In the webinar, Dr. Patel discusses how to make a single unit CAD/CAM restoration blend in with adjacent teeth. He reviews the techniques, preparation, material choices and staining methods needed to achieve the best results. The main learning objectives of this webinar are as follows:

• Discuss the techniques for making a single unit CAD/CAM restoration blend in with other teeth.
• Discuss the preparation techniques, material choices and staining methods for making restorations disappear.
• Discuss a wide variety of tips and tricks to choose from based on the needs of each case.

You can take the accredited CE quiz to earn 1 free self-instructed CE unit.

Access the webinar, Find Me if You Can: The CEREC Chameleon Effect, to take the quiz.

Dr. Dhavel Patel

About Dr. Dhaval Patel

Dr. Dhaval Patel is a multiple-office owner dentist supported by Pacific Dental Services®. In his 10+ years of practice experience, Dr. Patel has been recognized as a subject matter expert in anterior and posterior CEREC® CAD/CAM dentistry. He has had numerous speaking engagements, published articles, and more. To learn more about Dr. Dhaval Patel, visit his PDS Institute® faculty page.

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In the article, Dr. Spooner acknowledges not all dentists are educated in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). However, she encourages dentists to become educated in identifying patients with OSA in order to help treat affected patients. “Many patients see their dentists more frequently than their other doctors, and spend more time on a per-visit basis with them. This creates the need for a dental environment that serves patients better in the identification, screening, and treatment of OSA.”

Helping diagnose obstructive sleep apnea might have a greater impact on patients than some dentists realize. “Decreasing the number of undiagnosed cases of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may reduce automobile accidents, improve quality of life, and reduce the risk of chronic health problems, according to the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine.”

Dr. Spooner reviews the following topics related to obstructive sleep apnea in detail:

• Ordering sleep studies
• Cotreatment with physicians
• Education and ethics
• Taking action

Take a look at the full article, “What Every Dentist Needs to Know About Sleep Apnea,” to learn more.

Dr. Ashley Spooner

About Dr. Ashley Spooner

Dr. Ashley Spooner graduated from University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine and is an owner dentist supported by Pacific Dental Services®. She has been honored with the National Society of Dental Practitioners Law and Ethics Award. To learn more about Dr. Spooner, visit pacificdentalservices.com/institute/AshleySpooner.

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Vice President of Clinical Quality for PDS® and PDS Institute® Chair of Clinical Quality, Dr. Charles Rodgers, authored the article, “Transactional vs. Experiential Dental Patients” that was recently published by Dentistry iQ.

The article takes a closer look at “transactional” and “experiential” terminology and how it applies to a dentist’s patient interaction. Dr. Rodgers shares, “It seems obvious that when a patient visits the office a transaction will occur, but under what circumstances will this inevitable transaction transpire?”

His article further explores reasons dentists should strive to be experiential with their patients in order to provide an exceptional patient experience.

To learn more about Dr. Rodgers’ suggestions on patient interaction, access the full article on the Dentistry iQ website.

Dr. Charles Rodgers

About Dr. Charles Rodgers

Dr. Charles Rodgers is a 1987 graduate of Loma Linda University School of Dentistry and a multiple-office owner dentist supported by Pacific Dental Services® (PDS®). He currently serves as chair of clinical quality for the PDS Institute®, vice president of clinical quality for PDS, and oversees clinical guidance as chair for the PDS National Dental Advisory Board. In his 25+ years of practice experience, he has had numerous speaking engagements, published articles, and more. To learn more about Dr. Charles Rodgers, visit his PDS Institute faculty page.

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In the article, Kim and Dr. Guyton offer suggestions on taking five intentional steps prior to purchasing and integrating new dental technology into a practice.

They agree that “The best technologies for each practice should improve both the patient experience and the bottom line.”

By taking these five steps, dentists can ensure they are making the best decision for their practice, their patients, and save themselves that often comes with implementing new dental technology into their practice.

Step 1: Define the technology

Step 2: Describe the vision

Step 3: Build a plan

Step 4: Seek support

Step 5: Implementation and review

To learn more about each of these steps in depth, access the article on the Dental Economics website here.

About Pacific Dental Services (PDS®)

Founded in 1994, PDS is one of the country’s leading dental support organizations, providing Supported Autonomy that allows dentists to concentrate on Clinical Excellence and the highest levels of cost-effective comprehensive patient care. PDS originated the PRIVATE PRACTICE +® model to allow dentists to focus on their passion: serving patients. PDS also pioneered the concept of modern dentistry, enabling dentists to combine advances in dental technology with the best operational practices and procedures, highly skilled support staff and a commitment to ongoing training and education.

Interested in career opportunities? Visit jobs.pacificdentalservices.com for current opportunities.

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Great organizations should provide value to the community. That’s why Pacific Dental Services®, PDS®-supported clinicians, and team members feel that charity dental work is an important way we are uniquely qualified to help people in need.

Several PDS-supported clinicians were recently recognized for harnessing their passion for dentistry to make a positive impact on their communities. Take a look at how they are giving back through dentistry.

Dr. Ashleigh Harrison, PDS-supported owner dentist, was featured in Life-changing Dental Care for Those in Need, which was published by Efficiency in Group Practice. The article highlighted the donated dentistry Dr. Harrison completed for a woman named Juanita who lives in her community.

Dr. Ashleigh Harrison and team provide dental care in their community.

Juanita was connected with Dr. Harrison through Donated Dental Services (DDS), a program of Dental Lifeline Network (DLN). The program matches prescreened patients with dentists who sign up in hopes of giving back through dentistry.

Before getting connected with Dr. Harrison, Juanita’s teeth were deteriorating, causing her pain, and affecting her confidence. After Dr. Harrison restored her teeth, Juanita had the confidence to smile again, which had a significant impact on her life. She said, “Since getting my new teeth, I have lost 43 pounds, I am off at least one third of my medications. I am more active and more social.”

Dr. Harrison was surprised at how convenient the process of giving back through dentistry was by signing up with DLN. She said, “I signed up online and was contacted within a few weeks. It’s similar to the mission work I’ve done, but I was helping people right here in my community.”

Dr. Jacob Dent, PDS-supported owner dentist, was featured in A World of Good. The article was published in the May issue of Dentaltown and highlights the many ways practices across the nation are giving back through dentistry.

Dr. Jacob Dent provides special needs dentistry at his dental practice.

The Pacific Dental Services Foundation and Dr. Dent recently partnered to transform Dr. Dent’s PDS-supported dental office, Sugar Land Modern Dentistry. They opened a brand new practice dedicated specifically to special needs dentistry.

The article mentions, “This clinic provides special-needs patients with screenings, fluoride varnishes and night guards at no cost.” In addition to providing these services, the practice provides a sensory-friendly environment for special needs patients.

Dr. Dent also “hopes to train and educate as many families and health care providers as possible so this increasing population can receive sensory-friendly and state-of-the-art treatment.” To learn more about the practice and special needs dentistry, visit Sugar Land Modern Dentistry.

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The recorded webinar can be accessed on-demand through the CDEWorld continuing education (CE) website. View the full webinar: Fundamentals of Occlusion: Diagnosing and Treating Occlusal Pathology

In the webinar, Dr. Cairns reviews the fundamental concepts to applying occlusion to practice. The main learning objectives of this webinar are as follows.

• Categorize and classify a patient based on the examination results of the occlusion and temporomandibular joint
• Discuss how to treat patient muscle pain with the use of a single appliance (full coverage flat plane)
• Describe the rules for posterior determinants of occlusion to a single tooth or incomplete quadrant dentistry

You can take the accredited CE quiz to earn 1 free self-instructed CE unit.

Access the Fundamentals of Occlusion: Diagnosing and Treating Occlusal Pathology webinar to take the quiz.

Dr. Scott Cairns

About Dr. Scott Cairns

Dr. Scott Cairns graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1999 and is a multiple-office owner dentist supported by Pacific Dental Services®. In his 15+ years of practice experience, Dr. Cairns has been recognized as a subject matter expert in both occlusion and dental photography. He has had numerous speaking engagements, published articles, and more. To learn more about Dr. Scott Cairns, visit his PDS Institute® faculty page.

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In her article, Dr. Velayo shares her experiences as a new dentist and reflects back on what helped her grow her reputation in her community. She shares tips about interacting with patients and gaining referrals as a new dentist.

As a new dentist who achieved practice ownership within 18 months of dental school graduation, Dr. Velayo worked diligently on her reputation and hopes other new dentists can use the tips in her article to help build their own reputations.

To view these tips, read How to Grow Your Reputation as a New Dentist.

Bianca Velayo, DMD

About Dr. Bianca Velayo

Dr. Bianca Velayo graduated from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine in 2015. She currently owns a practice supported by Pacific Dental Services® in Henderson, Nevada. To learn more about Dr. Velayo, visit her office page.

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In his article, Dr. Cairns discusses why pathologies of occlusion are infrequently diagnosed and treated, and how this can be changed. He identifies eight specific factors that can potentially contribute to the lack of treatment.

1. Uncertainty regarding the cause
2. Patients’ absence of concern
3. Dentists’ avoidance
4. Lack of advanced training
5. Treatment uncertainty
6. Lack of third-party payer support
7. Interrelatedness to medical conditions
8. Little public awareness

Dr. Cairns reviews these eight factors in depth and encourages clinicians to reflect on which factors could be contributors to their practice and which are within their control. He says, “By recognizing which of these barriers may be present in your practice, you can begin to address them and better serve your patients in the prevention and treatment of all diseases of the oral cavity.”

To read the full article, click here.

Dr. Scott Cairns

About Dr. Scott Cairns

Dr. Scott Cairns graduated from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1999 and is a multiple-office owner dentist supported by Pacific Dental Services®. In his 15+ years of practice experience, Dr. Cairns has been recognized as a subject matter expert in both occlusion and dental photography. He has had numerous speaking engagements, published articles, and more. To learn more about Dr. Scott Cairns, visit his PDS Institute® faculty page.

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