A New Angle on Polishing: Benco Dental Incisal Edge Exclusive

Why didn’t anyone think of this sooner? Now Premier brings you the best of both worlds: a traditional prophy cup with an interproximal cleaning tip. Genius!


In my experience, while working as a dental hygienist in both pediatric and general dental practices for the last ten years, I find myself using a multitude of products that have been ordered by someone else. Disposable prophy angles are no exception. In preparing my tray for a 30-45-minute hygiene appointment, I typically open the drawer, grab my setups and place whatever prophy angle has been ordered on the slow speed. If I have an orthodontic patient, I will place two prophy angles, a regular firm cup and a prophy angle with a brush, on my tray. Working on an orthodontic patient would take me twice as long to polish because I would use the regular prophy angle first, then stop what I was working on to take that angle off the slow speed, unwrap the plastic wrapper of the prophy brush, put it on the slow speed, then clean around the brackets and arch wires. This is a cumbersome, time-consuming process.

Wouldn’t it be nice to have the best of both worlds and have the two together in one disposable prophy angle? Luckily, 2pro™ from Premier Dental has combined a traditional prophy cup with an interproximal cleaning tip. I was instantly intrigued by this concept for disposable prophy angles and had to give it a try.

I have a difficult time keeping up with the volume of new products introduced to the hygiene market, all promising to be the latest and greatest. Most of the time, features that peak my curiosity regarding a product fail to perform to standards upon use. Every once in a while, a product like 2pro will catch my eye, and then exceed my expectations. Finding these gems is what allows us to bring something unique, with a point of differentiation, to the doctor about what the hygienist needs and prefers to be ordered.

Unlike the myriad of other prophy angles on the market, 2pro boasts features my patients immediately notice. The first feature I liked about 2pro is the neon, fun colors. Kids, young and old, enjoy the vibrant colors while some focus on the translucent design as they try to figure out how it works.

In terms of ergonomics, I felt the difference as soon as I put 2pro in my hand. The ergonomic, 100˚ design allows efficient and comfortable access to all areas of the mouth. Meanwhile, the gearless design allows 2pro to run quietly and smoothly with less heat buildup and near-zero freeze-ups. Let’s face it; freeze-ups are frustrating. The prophy angle stops turning, so you have to stop working. 2pro has a sturdy, latex-free design that easily and securely attaches to the handpiece.

Perhaps 2pro’s most unique feature is its ability to instantly transform itself from a prophy cup into a polishing tip by simply removing the prophy cup. I no longer have to set up my operatory with a prophy cup, interproximal tip, prophy brush and take the time to switch between them. I save time, money and the aggravation of interrupting my prophy to switch handpiece angles. What a concept—hygienists working smarter, not harder!

I use the prophy cup first on all surfaces I desire, then remove the cup and complete my fine polishing, using the convenient tip for gingival/proximal areas around implants, veneers and crowns. 2pro is ideal for my orthodontic patients who need the extra attention around brackets, ligatures and arch wires. I complete my cleanings in less time with less hand fatigue, better access and improved results.

2pro comes in three colors and four cup styles: soft/short, firm/short, soft/long, and firm/long to accommodate all of our personal preferences. When used in conjunction with ACP-enriched Enamel Pro® Prophy paste, I am confident that I am providing my patients with a high-quality dental cleaning.

Susan DiMarino, RDH, BS is a graduate of the Dental Hygiene Program at Harcum College and received her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration and management from Shippensburg University. She works in private practice as a dental hygienist and as a business consultant. She can be reached at susan@dmdsolutions.com.

When the Clock Strikes 179

This article is being written in the aftermath of the tax-season frenzy when accountants and clients scramble to meet the tax deadline, while keeping as much of their hard-earned revenues as possible. However, planning ahead for tax savings should be a year-round endeavor. Those who have invested in new equipment are aware of its advantages—increased case acceptance, productivity and enhancement of loyalty and customer service. This year, Section 179 of the tax code helps to make an equipment purchase even more sensible.IRS Code Section 179 allows dentists to recover a hefty amount of their investment. Ken Rubin, a San Diego-based Dental CPA for the past 26 years (and a dentist’s son), specializes in helping dentists maximize their financial potential. He notes, “As a Dental CPA, I eat, sleep and breathe tax and financial matters for dentists.”



This year, Section 179 offers a high financial incentive. Rubin notes, “You can deduct the first $250,000 worth of equipment (that is put into service by the last day of this year) and even more in conjunction with other depreciation methods, if your purchases exceed $250,000.” This cap makes it easier to invest in new technology, such as the GXCB-500 HD Cone Beam system, and even group multiple technologies, like the 500 HD and intraoral sensors. Rubin notes that the depreciation structure can be tiered, depending upon the investment. “First, up to $250,000 can be written off using Section 179; second, any balance still remaining can be depreciated over a five-year period.”

The impressive Section 179 inducement is scheduled to expire on December 31, 2010. “There has been talk about reducing the accelerated depreciation capabilities for next year,” says Rubin. He cautions dentists to “not let the tax tail wag the dog,” meaning purchases should not be made just for the sake of tax reduction, “but if this equipment can make your practice more profitable, more efficient and add new and innovative procedures, then it makes sense to let Uncle Sam help pay for part of that.”

Rubin also suggests that it makes sense to plan early in the year rather than scrambling in December. He says “CPA year-end tax planning meetings with their clients usuallyresult in a mad rush and a huge December spike in equipment purchases for dentists. Many dentists are faced with a large tax burden in April, and quickly must decide how to mitigate that. Implementing the new equipment sooner in the year can jumpstart an increase in profitability, and the new equipment can also start to be included in practice marketing by spotlighting the practice as one of the few in the area with Cone Beam imaging, for example.”

Pittsburgh-based periodontist, Dr. Mark Silberg utilized Section 179 to invest in a GXCB-500. He says, “Any practitioner who wants to be on the cutting edge of implant dentistry must be capable, knowledgeable and a good diagnostician. With all of the information that these 3D scans provide, I cannot imagine undertaking many procedures without it.” He continues, “Besides the benefits to the practitioner, I don’t have to inconvenience my patients or subject them to more radiation exposure by sending them out for a scan. In this economy, we do not know what the future will hold. With tax deductions changing so rapidly, we must take the money and run!”

Even financially savvy dentists should discuss tax incentives with their CPA or financial advisor to get the maximum value and maximum savings from their purchases. This year’s Section 179 offers the perfect opportunity to bring economic recovery and even profitability to your dental office.

Sally McKenzie is a founder and CEO of McKenzie Management. For over 25 years, Sally has immersed herself in techniques, systems and methods to improve the performance of dental practices. She continues to be a national and international featured speaker on dental practice management. Her articles can be found in every major dental publication. Ms. McKenzie is also an editor and publisher in her own right. Visit her at www.mckenziemgmt.com.