Publications

MINIMALLY INVASIVE DENTISTRY APPROACH BENEFITS OF USING LASERY

 N. Elson and I. Brandes

Published on December 21, 2016; Journal of Dentistry and Oral Care

The preservation of healthy human body and function for every patient should be the goal of all health practitioners. Dentistry is not an exception to this philosophy. The loss of human tooth structure should be regarded as a serious injury and never to be considered lightly, therefore it is imperative to provide the most comprehensive and conservative care to all teeth. in past few decades, the improvements of scientific method and technology has led to a better understanding of oral micro flora and dental materials resulted in the shifting of caries management method from G.V. Black's "Extension for prevention" to the modern "Minimally invasive" approach in dentistry.

The minimally invasive approach to dental caries encompasses the science of detection, diagnosis and treatment on the microscopic level. The approach also establishes a proper doctor-patient relationship thus empowering and educating the patient to take responsibility for their own dental health. It has been widely accepted that the restorative materials and preparation designs are not the cure for caries. The dentist must recognize that the caries is a bacterial disease and the elimination of disease should be the priority before initiating any restorations. The proper sequence of caries management should be the introduction of preventive strategies such as oral hygiene instructions, remineralisation regiments, and risk assessments followed by minimal surgical interventions.

Using the laser technology in the aspect of surgical intervention has many clinical advantages. Some of the clinical benefits include its selectivity for carious tissue, reduction of needs for local anesthesia, decontamination effect of preparation surfaces, minimal thermal stimulus to pulp chamber, increase surface adhesion for composite materials, and other soft tissue applications. A critical evaluation of disadvantages on laser should also be considered when implementing its use in the clinical practice. The combination of caries prevention program, disease control, risk assessment and laser technology application on the surgical intervention significantly reduce the long term restorative needs thus preserve more healthy natural tooth structures, which complimenting the concept of minimally invasive dentistry. This presentation summarized various articles within the past 15 years regarding to topics of minimal invasive dentistry and laser technology usage in dentistry.

VISUAL LEARNING : TECHNOLOGY HELPING STUDENTS IN TREATMENT PRESENTATIONS

M. Harutunian, I. Brandes, B. Brandolin, A. Daoud, New York University College of Dentistry (UNITED STATES)

Publication Year: 2012

Our students are our future dentists, therefore we have an obligation to teach them how to intertwine the most advanced and innovative technology available in their day to day patient interaction. Our students' mission is to improve patient quality of care. To be a student leader in using advanced technology is a rewarding fact for their patients, bringing student-patient interaction to a much higher level.

When we consider teaching our students to become fine future dental professionals, we have to broaden their horizons in understanding the importance of combining the latest visual technology available with their clinical skills. Patients need to be communicated in the most effective way, clinical findings, alternative treatment plans as well as the outcome of the proposed and agreed upon treatment plan. Visualization with the aid of current state of the art technology available is key in student - patient communication.

Student interaction through clinical cases with the aid of visual technology provides the opportunity to minimize misinterpretations and maximize patient satisfaction in an informative and educated manner. Digital Radiography, Intra-oral Cameras, Digital Photography, Smile Simulation and Interactive Software Presentations are crucial tools students have available today to present educated information to their patients, thus aiding in patient better and faster understanding and acceptance of proposed treatments. The outcome is a win-win situation.

Our mission as dental educators is to provide our students with the tools necessary in order to better serve their current and future patients, with emphasis on improving their dental, oral and ultimately general health. The ultimate goal our students need to achieve is to enter the work force as confident, proficient clinicians serving the dental needs with the highest level of education and professionalism.

Veitz-Keenan, D.D.S, Analia, Gary S. Berkowitz, D.D.S., Irene Brandes, D.D.S, Kenneth L. Goldberg, D.M.D., David A. Hamlin, D.M.D., Robert Margolin, D.D.S. and Kay Oen, D.D.S.

Publication: New York State Dental Journal. v73, n3 (2007): 14-15, Print.

Other Affiliations: 

PEARL Network Appoints Practitioner Advisory Group Will Help Develop Five Clinical Trial Protocols in 2006. The NYU PEARL (Practitioners Engaged in Applied Research and Learning) Network, a $26.7 million, NIH-funded "practice-based" research network, has appointed a Practitioner Advisory Group to help identify and develop five research proposals to be implemented as clinical trial protocols in 2006. These will be the first of 15 to 20 protocols to be implemented over the grant’s seven-year period.

The Practitioner Advisory Group will review over 200 proposals and select those that most closely meet the PEARL Network’s mission to expand the evidence base in dentistry by addressing key patient-care problems routinely encountered by dentists in private practice. The Practitioner Advisory Group members include Clinical Assistant Professor of Cariology and Comprehensive Care Dr. Gary Berkowitz, a general practitioner in East Meadow, New York; Clinical Assistant Professor of Cariology and Comprehensive Care Dr. Irene Brandes, a Manhattan dentist specializing in esthetic restorations; Dr. Kenneth Goldberg, a Cliffside Park, New Jersey, general practitioner; Dr. David A. Hamlin, founder of Contract Dental Evaluations, a Langhorne, Pennsylvania, esthetic dental practice and clinical research facility; Clinical Assistant Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology & Medicine Dr. Analia Veitz-Keenan, a Brooklyn general practitioner; Dr. Robert Margolin, a private practitioner in the Bronx, Director of the General Practice Residency Program at St. Barnabas Hospital, and member of the board of the New York State Academy of General Dentistry; and Dr. Kay Oen, a Port Chester, New York, private practitioner who recently completed two terms as National Trustee of the Academy of General Dentistry.