Howard Speaks by Howard Farran, DDS, MBA, MAGD

The questions for our recent online survey at www.DentalTown.com focused on endo and I was amazed at every result. Results from over 780 dentists polled indicated only 74% of dentists perform their own endo. Only 15% of those polled do both anterior and premolar endo. Three percent of dentists claim they only do single-canal endo and 6% of dentists do not perform endo at all. That means one in four dentists have some serious upside to their level of dental practice activity. To view the polls go to the DentalTown homepage and click on View Results. Then, under Previous DentalTown Polls, click on Do you perform endodontics in your office?

Of the dentists that do endo, 23%, almost one in four, do not use an apex locator. Are you crazy? Sixty-nine percent of the dentists polled said their apex locator works reliably 90 to 100% of the time. Buy an apex locator right now! Do not finish reading this article until you have an apex locator. It is very dysfunctional to only buy toys for your home use. The happiest, most productive dentists have more dental toys than their childhood sandbox. To love dentistry you must learn to laugh and play at work. Work is a good and necessary thing.

The most shocking discovery of our endodontic poll revealed that dentists are basically split 51% to 49% on the use of a working length film with an apex locator. Fifty-one percent of dentists who use an apex locator also take a working length film while 49% do not. Remember, the next dentist, or your local State Board, will only see the radiograph. I would encourage every dentist to take a working length film even if you know your apex locator works perfectly.

So why do one in four dentists not tackle all of their endo? Or better yet, why do most dentists not LOVE endo? For one, they don’t take enough endo courses. To sharpen my endodontic game I just recently visited Dr. Stephen Buchanan’s two-day hands-on course in Santa Barbara, California. If you lived in B.C. Greece you would get your best advice at Delphi. The priest would consult the gods and tell you how to solve your problems. In my opinion, Stephen Buchanan is the high priest of endo. He is having so much fun it makes you wonder why so many dentists don’t LOVE endo! You only love what you are good at.

The most shocking discovery of our
endodontic poll revealed that dentists are
basically split 51% to 49% on the use of a
working length film with an apex locator.

Go see Stephen Buchanan or start out with his world-class, award-winning endo tapes. Get an apex locator! Start using 300rpm NiTi files such as Tulsa Dental Products Proforma files or the new K3 files from Kerr. Use an electric handpiece motor so your files work properly. Only use your files once per case so you won’t have as many premature obturations. If you have a hard time finding the canals, get loupes and/or a scope. Seeing is believing when you start finding MB2s over half of the time.

If you have a really tough endo case, schedule the case on your day off on Friday or Saturday. I would much rather go in on my day off and do the ultimate endo challenge than play a 4-hour game of golf. Plus on the weekend, or the last appointment of the day, you don’t have to worry about staying on time or hygiene checks! To those dentists who say they have to stay home because of day care, cry me a river. Take your kids to work on your day off. Your children need to see what it is that you do. Your children need to learn the values of serving your fellow man through work.

Most emergencies are toothaches needing endodontic therapy. L.D. Pankey once said that you can’t sell a product if it’s not sitting on the shelf. Endodontics, implants and adhesive dentistry are growing at 12% plus per year, while amalgams are flat and removables are shrinking. So poise your dental shelf for growth with endo, implants, and esthetic dentistry.

And as usual, if you really want to learn EVERYTHING about endo, or anything dental, check out the message boards on our sister website www.DentalTown.com. Did you notice we just passed our 10,000 registered dentists! Can you believe back in January of 2000 we had just two registered users, Judith and me? Just two years and seven months later, 10,000 plus Townies! There is not a dental subject the world over that is not explained in complete detail by someone on the boards.

I’m very happy with the debut of our new online presentation software sponsored by Kodak. We now have over 47 case presentations already on the site. On page 20 of this issue, we’ve included an entire page of instructions on how to view existing presentations and next month we’ll feature information on how to post your own cases. Take advantage of this opportunity to connect with fellow colleagues, your study club, labs and specialists.

If you have a question, problem or dilemma, just ask. Post a question or start a complete thread and you will not only get an answer but will make new professional friendships that are more rewarding than you could ever imagine. The message boards are a family of friends and colleagues wanting to help, share, learn, consult and comfort. So why have 10,000 dentists logged on and not you? Why do the dentists on the boards LOVE dentistry, and not you? Log on to www.DentalTown.com and find out why! DT