'For me, the simplest things are also the best'

If you've tracked the rise and subsequent improvement of technology over the years and happened to miss a few years, chances are you're going to be behind the curve. Technology is moving that fast. There remains the age-old discussion between those who see technology as an investment in their practice and patients, and those who see it as an expenditure that in the current climate isn't absolutely necessary.

BDJ In Practice spoke to Dr Carolin Lahrsow and Dr Martin Weber from W+ | Dr. Weber & Kollegen in Germany, about the importance of digital and a new treatment centre that could revolutionise in-practice time.

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As a manufacturer, Dentsply Sirona emphasises innovative design. What role does digital and innovative design play for you in your daily work?

CL I fundamentally value good design, and that doesn't stop at work. I spend most of the day at the treatment centre and find that work is more fun when the design is appealing.

MW When designing the practice, it was important to us that the treatment centre had an unobtrusive, modern design that would stand the test of time. After all, you don't buy a new unit every year! We have treatment centres from Dentsply Sirona in our practice, and it is noticeable that their new Axano continues the shape language and design in a certain way: For all its innovation, there is also a sense of familiarity.

Today, modern means digital. Because it makes work easier, because it's faster, because it's fun. What does digital mean to you?

MW For me, digital means two things. On the one hand, it's about data and information being available in a certain way - simply, quickly, at any time. I'm thinking, for example, of patient-related data such as X-ray images or medical history. That makes my job a lot easier. On the other hand, it's important to me that everything reliably works. I want to start working directly on and with a unit - in my own way, without having to press a lot of buttons or keys. For me, digital means simple, fast and intuitive.

CL Another point for me is that patient communication directly at the unit has further improved. For example, I have the option of showing the patient an intraoral image on the display of the dentist element and marking something by hand - just like on a tablet. To be able to explain a treatment need in front of a patient is really very useful.

How can better, more improved ergonomics help the dentist?

MW In our profession, it is not so easy to always adopt a truly ergonomic position. So, it's all the better if the treatment centre actively supports you in this. With Axano, I have discovered that I enjoy a standing positioning during a treatment, but also prefer to consciously change position, sometimes treating the patient sitting, sometimes standing. The adjustable height function of the automatic sliding track makes switching easy. It is equally important to me that the patient is positioned in a way that helps me while they remain comfortable especially during longer treatments. This is perfectly possible with the motorised adjustable headrest.

CL Yes, I agree with that. Martin has already talked about the automatic sliding track. It may just be a little thing, but we do this with 30 patients a day. At some point you feel this in your shoulder, because unintentionally, of course, you don't always turn correctly to the dentist element.

Hygiene is a very important topic for dental practices, especially at the treatment centre. What do you look for to ensure the highest possible levels of hygiene?

CL In fact, an LED light helps. If something is not perfect hygienically or otherwise, it lights up red. Our assistants, who are primarily responsible for this, tell us that this really helps in everyday work because it saves having to ask questions. Another aspect is that the treatment centre practically 'interacts' with us: Especially when a new colleague starts, there is no need for extensive training because the unit guides us through all the processes. We all find this simplified approach very helpful.

Speaking of safety, dentists always consider the reliability of a treatment centre to be an important factor. What has been your experience with treatment centres so far?

MW As testers, we have experienced the unit to be very reliable right from the start. And yes, safety is extremely important, because the failure of a treatment centre means the loss of time, money and nerves, because patients quite rightly expect us to organise the practice workflow optimally.

Are patients increasingly motivated by attending practices with high-quality technology?

CL Based on experience, patients do not pay much attention to the treatment centre. But those who have experienced Axano can tell the difference. Patients noted the lack of ambient light or the change in comfort when lying down. Many said it felt pleasant for their backs! That was actually very popular among our patients.

For the first time, I really have the feeling that I'm dealing with a unit that I can make my own with very little effort. I can create my account on the display and arrange all the functions the way I prefer them.

MW For me, the decisive factor is that I don't have to adjust specifically to this unit - it's rather the other way around. In addition, a lot of things are self-explanatory; I don't need any additional training that takes forever or even a separate manual. It's the sum of all the features and the knowledge that they can be found exactly where we as users expect them to be.

Which features do you find particularly important when selecting a treatment centre? And which one do you think is often underestimated but proves to be very useful?

MW For me, the simplest things are also the best. The fact that the doctor element moves to me with a tap on the foot control is great! That really makes a difference, which I honestly did not know I needed. And this element can be operated almost like a tablet. I can select or switch individual functions at my fingertips. I find that to be very modern. Finally, even if it's not a real 'feature': the unit moves faster. This is particularly noticeable when working on another unit in between. So, in the end, it's not about individual components at all, but about the complete package.

CL I often experience the situation where the examination or treatment is already completed, but the patient has a follow-up wish. On Axano, I can get them back into the necessary examination position in no time at all. Another little thing which is always useful is being able switch the operating light to composite mode on their element. This is also visualised on the assistant element with a light. Before, we were always unsure - have we already set it or not? This simplifies the workflow and makes it safer. Since there are four of us working in the practice, the option of saving profiles for each practitioner has also turned out to be a real benefit. Everyone has and can easily switch to their own preferences when it comes to the speed of the rotating instruments for certain treatments.

Axano is Dentsply Sirona's newest treatment centre. For more information, visit www.dentsplysirona.com/axano. Dr. Carolin Lahrsow and Dr. Martin Weber are both from the practice W+ | Dr. Weber & Kollegen in Darmstadt, Germany. Website: www.zahnarzt-weber-darmstadt.de