Real World Sharpening

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Why Do I Need to Sharpen My Instruments?

Benefits of Working with Properly Sharpened Instruments

 Greater Tactile Sensitivity  Better Control  Reduce Procedure Time  Improve Patient Comfort  Reduce Stain and Fatigue on You  Properly Sharpened Instruments Last Longer  Reduce Burnished Calculus

Burnished Calculus Directly Impacts Periodontal Health

“When I see thin, flat, burnished calculus at the CEJ with the endoscope, there is always inflammation and ulceration of the pocket wall opposite the calculus, as well as bleeding on probing.” Anna Pattison, RDH, MS. “Burnished Calculus at the CEJ”. Dimensions of Dental Hygiene, August 2011, page 74

How Often do I Sharpen?

REALLY

Need to

Every dental hygiene school, every dental hygiene textbook, every thought leader all agree…instruments should be sharpened after every patient.

Everyone does that…

right

?

RDH Magazine On-line Survey: July 2011

How often do you REALLY sharpen each of your 6.4% 4.1% instruments?

22.1% Every day 15.2% Once per week Once every 2 weeks 15.4% 19.3% 17.5% Once per month Once every 1-3 months Once every 4-6 months Once per year

How Do You Know When Your Instrument Needs to be Sharpened?

15.1% 7.4% 18.5% The pressure you apply Not removing calculus cleanly Test stick Appearance of the blade 59.0%

When do you Sharpen Your Instruments?

  “When I have a cancellation.” • “The doctor also doesn't feel that an opening on the hygiene schedule should be used to sharpen instruments (he wants the hygienist working on "recalls" to fill the appt. book) --he feels this should be done on "my time" or between appts. (there is actually no time between appts., therefore, sharpening is done very sporadically.)" “I bring them home to sharpen.”

Do You Share instrument Set-ups with Other Hygienists?

36.7% 63.3% Yes No

What is the Biggest Challenge to Sharing Instruments?

         “No one else sharpens, or if they do they don't do it well.” “Others ruin the cutting edge when sharpening” “Others don't sharpen, I'm the only one that does.” “Someone who does not sharpen correctly or often enough.” “Everyone sharpens differently, not always the 'right' way“ “finding time to sharpen regularly” “none, we have the Nordent sharpener and it is really easy.” TIME !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 45 minute adult appointments... need I say more ?

72.6% reported a problem with sharpening.

Let’s Summarize…

      There is no time to sharpen during the patient appointment.

If I have a cancellation, the dentist wants me to do something other than sharpening (recalls).

I’m concerned I’m going to ruin the instrument.

We have multiple hygienists with different sharpening results.

I have to sharpen the instruments for everyone.

It’s the task no one wants to do, so we put it off.

Ok…It’s Really Important and It’s a Big Problem…So What Do We Do?

 Establish a regular in-office, sharpening schedule  Utilize a professional sharpening service  Use a combination of both

In-Office Sharpening

  Must have a realistic, regular schedule Color code your set ups to use the “Kit per Day” system   Manual sharpening with multiple hygienists • Each hygienist sharpens own instruments • One hygienist sharpens all shared kits Automated Sharpeners

Automated Sharpeners Rx Honing Machine® Periostar® 3000 Miltex sidekick® Hu Friedy

Every Brand, Every Pattern, Every Time!

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Every Scaler & Curette has 1 Thing in Common…

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2 Unique Features Guarantee the Correct Angle Blade Positioner Sharpening Cone

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Turn Knob to Raise or Lower Positioner Bar

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Fit Jaws around Shank and Tighten Using Back Knob

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Move to Cone & Sharpen

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To Hand Sharpen Your Instruments You Will Need...



A Sharpening Stone Arkansas India Ceramic

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Lubricating Fluid

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A Firm Working Surface

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Good Lighting

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A Relaxed Attitude!

Instrument Tip Anatomy Terminal Shank Blade Heel Lateral Surface Blade Face Blade Tip

Stationary Instrument, Movable Stone 1. Inside blade face is held parallel to the floor.

2. Approach the instrument blade with the stone at the 12:00 position (90˚).

3. Angle the stone back to the 1:00 position (105˚).

Free-hand Sharpening Position

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Move Back from the Table

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Position the Instrument in your Lap

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Forearms Parallel to the Floor

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Look Directly Down on the Instrument Blade Face

Utilize a Table Edge for Stability

 Hand and forearm rest on the table top.

 Instrument handle is braced against the table edge.

 Angle the instrument toward you for easier access and better visibility.

 Grasp the stone from along the bottom to utilize both the front and back surfaces of the sharpening stone.

 Position yourself near a corner for additional access.

The Best Alternative is to Sharpen Regularly in the Office

If it’s just not possible to establish a regular sharpening schedule in the office, let Nordent take care of it for you.

Relyant™ Scalers and Curettes come with…

FREE Unlimited, Professional Sharpening for Life!

And a… Great Trade-In Program!

Scalers and Curettes Free, Unlimited, Professional Sharpening for Life!

Scalers & Curettes

       Relyant Suggested Retail Price $30.25

Introductory Offer: Buy 10 – Get 2 FREE!

Mix and match.

Free Professional Sharpening for Life!

Large diameter, light weight, hollow, stainless steel handle Highest quality Nordent tips made in the USA Available in all of your favorite patterns Relyant Trade-In Price 40% Off!

The Relyant™ System is Easy…

    Go to www.neversharpenagain.com

• Register your Relyant purchase • • Request a reusable, padded, shipping box Request pre-paid UPS Shipping labels ($8.00 each, charged only after they are used) • Download a Relyant Sharpening Form Start sending in your Relyant for FREE Sharpening (Sharpening orders are completed within 72 hours) Send your other scalers and curettes for sharpening ($4.50 each) Let Nordent help you establish an easy, hands-off, regular sharpening system