Episode 42
42: Where is Dentistry Headed? - Dr. Dan Fischer
Dr. Dan Fischer who is the founder of Ultradent is here. Dan is an experienced dentist and the founder of a popular dental materials company. Dan’s first product was created out of need and trying to find ways to treat more people in an economical and efficient way. We talk about where dentistry is heading and where dentistry has been.
Dan has a lot of experience in the dental world. He is driven by strong ethics and focused on conserving as much of the natural tooth as possible. He believes that one of the most conservative and effective treatments for patients is whitening, and he has products to make this process more effective and efficient. He thinks dentists should ask themselves if they would perform this procedure on their child before moving ahead with invasive procedures. Dan shares his wisdom and more on this episode.
You can find Dr. Dan Fischer here:
Show Notes
[02:21] Dan Fischer grew up in a large family and went to college and dental school.
[02:51] He went to school in Loma Linda and was called a seventh-day Mormon.
[03:17] Working on large polygamist families in Utah, Dr. Dan had to find more efficient ways to mass produce quality dentistry.
[03:37] The needs for his own practice motivated him to create his legacy products. Now he works with young engineers and chemists.
[04:10] Dentistry has changed.
[04:31] Changes Dr. Dan has seen. There are times in medicine and dentistry when invasive treatments are the only treatment.
[05:14] Dentistry used to be more invasive. Dr. Dan tries to minimize the invasiveness and have outcomes that are more affordable and require less treatment.
[06:35] Insurance companies reward for indirect dentistry. Treatments get down to ethics and what we are comfortable with.
[08:14] A skilled dentist may be able to create bonding and restorations that don't require expensive crowns.
[09:51] Ask yourself what kind of dentist you want to be.
[11:29] Helping more people keep their enamel and dentin with minimally invasive tooth bleaching. Being able to treat more socio-economic groups.
[12:05] Ask if your dentistry passes the son or daughter test. Would I do this procedure on my child.
[14:19] Regardless of the tools always give yourself the gut test before a treatment.
[15:49] Materials have been evolving over time. There is such a wide range of quality.
[20:05] Look at the type of materials we use to bond and do they adhere in a strong way.
[21:08] The importance of a strong mutual attraction or mutual adhesion.
[23:15] The aging population. Materials need to be more long lasting.
[24:40] Every young dentist should remind themselves that this patient may live beyond 100 years of age. Try to keep the dentin and enamel if you can.
[27:11] Interview the practice you are looking at joining and find out what their ethics are and make sure your values align.
[28:51] We are in the middle of the transition as society changes a want equals a need.
[30:12] Our standard of living continues to increase.
[31:05] What Dr. Fischer knows for sure. It is expensive and time consuming to get a vaccine approved. Remember that in spite of what you are being told people will still need dentists.
[33:34] People will be living longer and teeth will always need work. Don't write dentistry off.
[34:05] There is still more potential for tooth whitening. It is one of the more ethical things we can offer.
[35:48] There are things beyond our control the cause wants to become needs.
[36:21] Helping more people smile is good for them and good for us.
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