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 REALLY Need to Sharpen?

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 instruments?

19.3%

17.5%

15.4%

15.2%

22.1%

6.4%4.1%

Every day

Once per week

Once every 2 weeks

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?

59.0%

15.1%

7.4%

18.5%

The pressure you apply

Not removing calculus cleanly

Test stick

Appearance of the blade

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?

63.3%

36.7%

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

Periostar® 3000 Miltex

Rx Honing Machine®

sidekick® Hu Friedy

15

Every Brand, Every Pattern, Every Time!

16

Every Scaler & Curette has 1 Thing in Common…

17

2 Unique Features Guarantee the Correct Angle

Blade Positioner Sharpening Cone

18

Turn Knob to Raise or Lower Positioner Bar

19

Fit Jaws around Shank and Tighten Using Back Knob

20

Move to Cone & Sharpen

To Hand Sharpen Your Instruments You Will Need...

A Sharpening StoneArkansasIndiaCeramic

Lubricating Fluid A Firm Working

Surface Good Lighting A Relaxed Attitude!

Instrument Tip Anatomy

Blade Face

Lateral Surface

Terminal Shank

Blade Heel

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˚).

Move Back from the Table

Position the Instrument in your Lap

Forearms Parallel to the Floor

Look Directly Down on the Instrument Blade Face

Free-hand Sharpening Position

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