Achieving exceptional outcomes as a sole practitioner
When you are the sole dental professional and owner of your practice, you carefully oversee your expenditures and bottom line. You are prudent about how you invest in your team, tools, and technology. And you want to partner with a lab that will be cognizant of how being independent means sometimes not having deep pockets. You don’t want a lab that will try to waste your time or money. So, when Dr. Sylvia Irwin of Brighter Smiles Dental began a partnership with Dandy, we wanted to know why she chose us and how we fit into her solo practice.
Dr. Irwin has been in practice at Brighter Smiles Dental since she took it over in 1981. Located in Nutley, New Jersey, Dr. Irwin has treated generations of families, practicing general dentistry and a wide range of restorative procedures. However, she is not heavily focused on removable prosthetics. Her office and team are small but strong. With only three members–she, an assistant, and an office manager–they all understand the cost, revenue, and practice efficiency.
Discovering Dandy and finding progress.
It is a big financial decision when a dental office invests in something new, especially tools and technology. Dr. Irwin wanted to work with an intraoral scanner. She realized it was a substantial investment and significant purchase that needed the necessary due diligence. That is when Dr. Irwin discovered Dandy while researching online. Though she had hesitations, as Dandy is a startup, she admitted that the business model is perplexing. “It’s almost too good to be true. But it is true.”
Before choosing Dandy, Dr. Irwin consistently used Vinyl Polysiloxane Impression Material (VPS) impressions. She was concerned that as time progressed, the expense, time, and additional costs associated with VPS impressions would prove challenging and affect her practice. Then, there was the issue of progress. Is VPS a process that has its place in the future of dentistry?
Dr. Irwin strongly desires to provide the highest quality and state-of-the-art care, such as a recent purchase of a laser trophon used for subgingival prep. Her pursuit of this goal is why she has participated in training in numerous continuing education courses. Dr. Irwin also prides herself in the understanding that education does not end when dentists finish school. It is why she continues to educate the next generation of dental practitioners. In addition to her role as attending dentist and head of the General Dentistry section at the Hackensack Meridian Health Mountainside Medical Center’s Dental Residency Program, she supervises the dental clinic. There Dr. Irwin instructs residents in all phases of dentistry and gives weekly lectures. She wants to see dentistry improve, adapt, and transform, but has experienced success with VPS impressions. Though she still uses VPS occasionally, Dr. Irwin sees that the intraoral scanner is part of the dental evolution.
“I think it’s the way of the future slash present. I mean, the future’s here…And we need to be doing it.”
Dr. Sylvia Irwin of Brighter Smiles Dental
There are important advances in techniques, procedures, and technology that can be beneficial to any practice. That is why Dr. Irwin searched, investigated, and listened to advice, which led her to choose Dandy.
Integrating Dandy into Brighter Smiles workflows.
Dandy offered Dr. Irwin access to the cutting-edge technology of an intraoral scanner without the upfront expense. This non-incurred cost alleviates the heavy debt burden a small practice can incur when it must purchase high-end tools. In this case, it will save her $30,000 that can be invested in other ways. Additionally, she has integrated it into her workflows.
“I use Dandy for almost all of my crown and bridge, I use it for partial dentures. I’m going to do my first full dentures this week.”
Dr. Sylvia Irwin of Brighter Smiles Dental
She emphasized that the main advantage of Dandy is that speed and accuracy have increased, making practice more cost-effective.
“Now, in a field where time is money, this is it. This is the ticket.”
DR. SYLVIA IRWIN OF BRIGHTER SMILES DENTAL
As for the training on the device, Dr. Irwin and her staff found it “very straightforward “in its use. In fact, they practiced with each other to learn. She is also delighted with Dandy’s responsiveness and that they were present for her introduction.
“Any problems I had, I feel Dandy has been responsive. They were there. They looked over my shoulder the first time. It was great. I’ve had a really positive experience.”
Dr. Sylvia Irwin of Brighter Smiles Dental
She believes the Dandy process is quicker with faster turnaround times, and the accuracy has been fabulous. “I’ve had very good results,” Dr. Irwin shared. “Very, very few remakes.” Additionally, the patients are pleased with their experience. They are reassured that the practice is staying up on current dental trends, which makes her more competitive. And she thinks it’s a great way to jump into technology.
Dr. Irwin realizes that, as she said, digital dentistry is the future of dentistry. And the future is now. She is encouraged by the use of Dandy and hopes to bring it into the residency program where she instructs. Her idea is that dentists want the digital experience, and teaching them at a young age is best. As for herself, Dr. Irwin is looking forward to her time as a member of Dandy’s newly formed advisory board. And so are we.
