Four Ways Precision Saves You TIME; Time is Money
By Dr Mark Murphy – September 2019 DSM Insider Magazine
Too often, manufacturers develop competency in what drives THEIR business, not our practices. This brief discussion will focus on efficiency, more specifically, how precision design and manufacturing saves time, and time IS money. It’s estimated that DSM practice production approaches the $1,000 per hour range. A fifteen minutes unproductive use of time represents $250 lost. Conversely, saving fifteen minutes can boost productive capability or yield more free time to spend with friends or family. Time is the great denominator when measuring practice efficiency.
Precision Retainer-Like Fit
Tooth movement and the associated time spent explaining the cause and effect to patients, referrers and our team is an expense. When I see ball clasp retention, I know the device platform does NOT fit. Only the ball clasps ‘fit’ and are retentive. A precision platform fits everywhere and prevents tooth movement. If we spent just 15 minutes with a patient or physician trying to explain how and why the open contacts or esthetic changes occurred, it would ‘cost’ us $250. Not to mention patient and referring doctor dissatisfaction.
Screw Slippage on a Herbst
The small pin hole sleeves designed to hold the Herbst arm at the desired protrusion are notorious for slipping. A couple of ten-minute appointments to reset the screw takes time and time IS money. The precision hex nut on the ProSomnus® [PH] Precision Herbst-style Sleep Device not only is more robust in surface contact area, but also has a proprietary anti-slip technology that enhances the retention. Less slippage means fewer appointments and a significant saving.
Archival Digital Model and Bite Storage
Loss or breakage occurs, devices get eaten by pets and there are a variety of other ‘how it happened’ stories. New appointment for impressions and bite registration follow. Time and maybe even a direct monetary cost depending on the warranty follow. With digital archives, ProSomnus simply re-manufactures the device with the same preferences as you ordered originally (3-year standard and 5-year Medicare warranty).
Platform Size and Tongue Space
Recent papers confirm that precision platforms with more tongue space and/or 90-degree posts require less protrusion to start and to treat the patients at. Less protrusion means more comfort, better compliance AND fewer appointments. Less time, more money, repeat. You get the idea.
Time is money, but time is also an important component to our balance. Saving time can mean more money, but it could also translate into making more soccer games, an evening with friends or another round of golf. When I first heard Dr. Pankey speak about balancing life inside and outside of dentistry, I never thought I would be writing about it in the context of precision medical devices! Managing time means more choices. Time OR Money!
