An interview with DEBRA SEIDEL BITTKE, RDH, BS

1. Please describe what kind of dental practice management software required for an effective hygiene department

I love Dentrix but Open Dental can work in various countries globally, so dentists outside the US should look at Open Dental in fact they are located here in Oregon!

 

1. How should the front office be trained so that they are able to disseminate information regarding oral hygiene effectively to patients?

      There are courses that teach communication and I teach DISC personality types which helps to effectively communicate with the 4 various personality types. (Not to promote myself but the DISC Profile helps understand various types of people and how they will accept communication messages, how you can get them to accept your care, etc.)

 

1. Your favourite dentist:

      My favourite is typically the one dentist I am currently working with and in fact I went "Undercover" to a corporate dental office here in Oregon and the dentist I had was fantastic! He did not know I was a dental professional but provided the very highest level of care!

 

      I actually love my clients who are dentists. I think they are wonderful people and the dentists I worked for while a clinical hygienist are also the most amazing clinicians!

 

1. Interesting anecdotes from your career has a hygienist:

      Not many hygienists can say they actually started a hygiene school from the ground up! I got to pick out all the equipment, hire the faculty, the office admin team and develop curriculum besides writing the accreditation papers for ADA approval.

 

1. How do you manage patients with implants?

      Some of my clients (dentists) are placing ceramic implants so they require special instruments for the hygienists to use. I suggest special ultrasonics and thatpatients return to see the hygienist every 3 months when there are implants present. Good home care is a must and no tobacco use!

 

1. Please describe the current medico legal scene in USA as pertaining to dentistry & dental hygienists:

      We have to be licensed by each region in the US or at least the state where a hygienist works. We must be CPR certified every 2 yrs. Some states require that you take blood pressure.

 

1. How many dental hygienists have been sued by patients?

      None that I know of It’s the dentist they will sue: The dentist is the owner and the one with the money.​

 

1. What precautions should a dentist & a dental hygienist take to prevent himself from being sued? 

Follow the standard of care and your legal and ethical responsibilities for your state, country, province, etc. Carry Malpractice Insurance "Just in case."​

 

1. You prefer hand scaling or scaling by an ultrasonic scalar:

      Personally, I don't get a lot of calculus so I prefer hand scaling but I think most patients can benefit from a combination of both and especially perio patients benefit from both!

 

1. Do you feel that an illuminated ultrasonic scalar has any advantages?

      If the clinician does wear a light on their head now, the illuminated ultrasonic is amazing!

 

1. You favourite client in your consulting business:

      The ones I am currently working with. Seriously?! I really enjoy working with the dentists who have been in practice less than 5 yrs. They are so eager to learn. Dentists with an attitude of "I don't need help!" are not able to grow. Leaders, people who will grow,are the ones who are open to always learning.

 

      Dentistry changes quickly and an open mind to constant and never ending learning is what it takes to be successful throughout your career and as a business owner it is imperative.

 

1. From which regions do you have clients from?

      I have the ability to work with dentists throughout the world: India, Brazil, Cyprus, Philippines, Australia and the US Virgin Islands.And of course the US.