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(904) 656-1117 · JacksonvilleDentalSpecialists.com · December 2024
MEET THE SURGICAL TEAM The Importance of Surgical Assistants and Clinical Managers
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Providing advanced dentistry services for advanced cases requires effective cooperation between physicians and their support staff. Without skilled and experienced surgical assistants, the patient’s care suffers. Acquiring, training, and keeping an expert team starts at the top and requires the diligent oversight of a skilled clinical manager. For both Dr. Richard Aguila, DDS, and Dr. Matthew Nawrocki, DMD, maintaining a skilled staff is paramount for the success of their patients and their practice. The unsung heroes of our profession are no less important than the dental professionals themselves, and they deserve both praise and recognition for their crucial roles. Surgical Assistants The surgical assistant is an integral member of the dental implant surgery team. They are dedicated professionals who work in tandem with the implant surgeon and possess a unique set of skills, making them essential for providing a safe, efficient, and comfortable experience for patients. They play a crucial role in ensuring both the success and efficiency of dental implant procedures; they are adept at preparing the surgical field, sterilizing instruments, and assisting the surgeon during procedures. Their knowledge of dental anatomy and surgical technique is essential for anticipating the surgeon’s needs and providing timely support. Surgical assistants — beyond simply having technical proficiency — must also possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. They interact with patients, addressing their concerns and ensuring their comfort before, during, and after surgery. Surgical assistants play a vital role in maintaining a sterile environment and managing the surgical team, contributing to the procedure’s overall success. The importance of qualified, well-trained surgical assistants will only increase as the demand for dental implants continues to grow.
Dr. Richard Aguila-Periodontist
Jennifer-Clinical Manager
Clinical Managers Clinic managers are the linchpins of dental implant practices; they ensure the clinic’s operations run efficiently and that the highest standards for quality are maintained. Their role encompasses a wide range of responsibilities, from overseeing patient care to managing clinic staff and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The clinic manager’s duties help to provide a smooth experience for both patients and staff. One of their primary responsibilities is to supervise the day-to-day operations of the practice. This includes scheduling appointments, managing the flow of patients, and coordinating with other team members. This involves reviewing patient charts, monitoring treatment outcomes, and ensuring compliance with all relevant dental standards. By maintaining quality control, the clinical manager helps the practice provide the best care possible while fostering a positive reputation. They are also the arbiters of new talent: Clinical managers help to hire and onboard new employees and provide ongoing training and development. By investing in the professional growth and development of your team, they help to create a positive and productive work environment. Both surgical assistants and clinical managers are key to the success of dental implant clinics, and their importance cannot be overstated. —Lydia Salis Practice Manager
Cayla-Surgical Assistant
Gloryliz-Surgical Assistant
JacksonvilleDentalSpecialists.com · 1
THE CASE FOR PEARL AI A Game-Changer for Dental Communication and Case Acceptance
Platform Benefits The implementation of Pearl AI in dental practices can yield numerous benefits. For one, by providing understandable explanations, it improves patient understanding and decreases their anxiety. When patients feel confident and informed, they are more likely to agree to undergo the necessary procedures for their dental health. Moreover, this transparent communication can help strengthen patient-dentist relationships. Conclusion In order to illustrate the effectiveness of Pearl AI, we have included two demonstrative case studies. Case 1: A patient presented with a history of tooth sensitivity, but traditional radiographs were inconclusive. Pearl AI, however, identified a hidden cavity invisible to the naked eye. The dentist was able to explain the situation to the patient using Pearl AI’s 3D model, leading to a successful treatment plan.
Effectively communicating complex diagnoses to patients is one of the most significant challenges in dentistry. Conditions like caries, bone loss, and apical lesions can be difficult both to visualize and understand. This disconnect can cause confusion and anxiety in your patients and, ultimately, a decrease in case acceptance. However, in recent years, technology has emerged as a powerful tool to help bridge this gap in communication. Introducing Pearl AI Pearl AI — a second opinion platform designed to enhance patient understanding and increase case acceptance — is just such an innovation. The platform leverages advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze dental radiographs and provide detailed, easy-to-understand explanations of dental conditions. The platform offers several key features, such as automated analysis, visual aids, personalized recommendations, and clear and concise explanations for patients.
Case 2: A patient with periodontal disease was concerned about the extent of their bone loss. Pearl AI provided a detailed visualization of the affected area, helping the patient understand the severity of the condition and the importance of treatment. Pearl AI represents a significant advancement in dental communication and patient care. By leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance patient understanding and increase case acceptance, this innovative platform is helping to improve the overall dental experience for both patients and providers. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see even more sophisticated tools that will further revolutionize the field of dentistry.
MOLAR CUP 2024
The 2nd Annual Molar Cup Golf Tournament was held on Nov. 16 at the renowned Dye’s Valley Golf Course. Despite some recent rainfall, the course was in excellent condition. The greens were rolling smoothly, providing a fair challenge for golfers of all skill levels. The fairways were soft and lush. The rough, measuring 2.5 to 3 inches, added an extra layer of difficulty, punishing errant shots. Overall, the course provided a picturesque backdrop for a memorable day of golf and camaraderie. Congratulations to Dr. Todd Denson, the 2024 Molar Cup Champion!
3rd Annual Molar Cup Golf Tournament Nov. 15, 2025, at THE PLAYERS Stadium Course Get ready for another exciting day of golf, friendly competition, and great company. More details to come!
2nd Place — Dr. Bennie Clark 3rd Place — Dr. Joe Michael
4th Place — Dr. Scott Wagner and Dr. Tourner Wright A special shoutout to Dr. Tourner Wright for his impressive performance, winning three awards:
• Closest to the Pin on Hole 5 • Closest to the Water on Hole 5 • Longest Drive on Hole 8 Tournament Rules: • Stroke Play • Maximum Score: Triple Bogey
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Automatic Rejection THE RISE OF AI-DRIVEN CLAIM DENIALS
Dental insurance companies have begun to introduce Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their adjudication process, which has led to a noticeable increase in claim denials. While AI promises to improve efficiency, this development has also introduced significant new challenges both for patients and dental providers. Here, we will examine why AI is denying so many claims. Stricter Adherence While human adjudicators are no doubt familiar with the contractual terms that govern their company’s insurance policies, AI adjudicators have a marked advantage in this area. Their algorithms meticulously analyze every aspect of a claim against the specific terms of the claimant’s dental insurance plan. This means that any minor discrepancy — such as a missing or incorrect procedure code — can trigger an automatic claim denial. Fraud Detection Thanks to the sophisticated underlying technology behind them, AI-powered systems are capable of identifying potential fraud; however, their sensitivity is overtuned, and this leads to numerous errors on their part. While this system may be beneficial for preventing fraudulent claims, it also leads to legitimate claims being flagged for further review, resulting in unnecessary delays and denials. Data-Driven Decision Making AI can analyze vast amounts of data to identify patterns and trends. This data- driven approach can lead to more stringent criteria for claim approval, particularly for procedures that are frequently challenged. The more efficient the AI becomes
in doing so, however, the more difficult it is for human adjudicators to keep up with the claim responses. That is to say, as the AI takes on more tasks, there is less opportunity for human review and intervention. This can limit the ability to consider individual circumstances or exceptions, leading to more rigid decision-making. The Takeaway Dental providers must invest more time and resources in appealing denied claims, which can be a complex and time-consuming process. Additionally, denials can delay or prevent payments to dental providers, impacting their cash flow and financial stability. While this affects dental providers, it also leads to hardships NEW CODE ALERT D6180 - Implant maintenance procedures when a full fixed arch hybrid prosthesis is not removed, including cleansing of prosthesis and abutments.
for patients. Patients may experience unexpected out-of-pocket costs and dissatisfaction with their dental provider. While AI has the potential to streamline the dental insurance claims process, it is important to be aware of its potential drawbacks. By understanding the reasons for increased denials and taking proactive steps to mitigate them, dental providers can minimize the negative impact on their practice and patient care. SHOTS FROM THE 2ND ANNUAL MOLAR CUP
Dr. Richard Aguila, Dr. Todd Denson - The 2024 Molar Cup Champion, Dr. Matthew Nawrocki
JacksonvilleDentalSpecialists.com · 3
PRST STD US POSTAGE PAID BOISE, ID PERMIT 411
11512 Lake Mead Ave. #532 Jacksonville, FL 32256
INSIDE Indispensable Support Roles for Dental Implant Practices
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The Case for Pearl AI Molar Cup 2024
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The Rise of AI Driven Claim Denials Shots from the 2nd Annual Molar Cup
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Dental 3D Printing Technology
SPRINTRAY’S GREATEST INNOVATION The Midas Digital Press 3D Printer
Introducing SprintRay’s most significant innovation yet: The Midas Digital Press 3D Printer. This groundbreaking device introduces the world to Digital Press Stereolithography (DPS) and the patent-pending Resin Capsule System, designed to handle highly viscous resins that traditional 3D printing technologies simply cannot. Novel Materials Historically, the types of materials available for 3D printing set the limits of what could be achieved in dental restoration. But with Midas, the game is changing. This technology doesn’t just enhance how materials are used; it expands the horizons of what can be printed. The Midas 3D Printer is able to print with ceramics, which are too thick for traditional 3D printers. This innovation also sets the stage for future advances in both 3D-printed composites and ceramics. AI Studio Alongside the printer, SprintRay is launching its own AI Studio design software, which will streamline the design and delivery of restorations, making the process faster and smoother than ever before. The software integrates seamlessly with existing dental scanning systems like 3Shape, Dexis, and Medit. This cloud-based platform allows for easy adjustments and customizations without needing any CAD skills, revolutionizing how dental restorations are designed. Crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers can now be fabricated chairside in under eight minutes with StingRay’s initial ceramic-filled resins.
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