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ePaper created 2016-06-25, 17:18:27 | version 1.38.0
Nobel Biocare Global Symposium 7 science & research “Visual stimulation is an extremely powerful tool” An interview with Dr. Scott MacLean by Dental Tribune International Dental Tribune International: Dr.MacLean, could you please introduce yourself to the readers by sharing some details about your professional background? Dr. Scott MacLean: I have been a dentist for close to 25 years, with a main focus on dental-implant-related practice, both place- ment and restoration. My passion is to pro- vide and teach dental implantology and improve quality of life; I have lectured inter- nationally on these topics and have taught in the implant elective at the Faculty of Den- tistry at Dalhousie University in Canada for more than ten years and it is now part of the overall curriculum. For about the same time, I have been involved with Nobel Biocare and the launch of new products, such as the NobelActive implant, NobelProcera system and different bone grafting materials. The topic of today’s discussion forum at the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium is partner- ing for life. Could you briefly describe what attendees can expect? At the forum today, I will be talking about how dentists can improve communication with their patients in order to encourage them to value dental implants and understand why they should have them. One of the main issues in this respect is that dentists should explain and illustrate the benefits of dental implants for quality of life. We have to get patients ex- cited and interested by educating them. As the patient population ages increasingly, longe- vity is becoming a major topic in all areas of health care. There will be more older people who want quality of life, which is why they will have their hips replaced even at an ad- vanced age, and if they are convinced about the benefits, they will want the same for their mouth in order to eat, smile, kiss and speak better. According to your experience, what ap- proaches and tools can help dental pro- fessionals grow their practice and increase patient flow? There are many things we cannot de- scribe. Thus, the most effective approach is to stimulate patients visually, as this en- hances their limbic system and helps them make decisions. NobelClinician Software can be a great asset in this regard, as it can be used not only as a planning tool but also as an educational tool. Dentists can show their patients different aspects of the treatment outcome, which is what they are most inter- ested in. This is comparable to the booking process in a travel agency. If you want to go to Hawaii, the agent will not show you pic- tures of hour-long flights but images of the beach to help you visualize your final desti- nation. We sometimes focus too much on the details of the procedure itself, which might scare the patient and make him or her apprehensive about treatment. Visual stimula- tion is an extremely powerful tool and helps the pa- tient get more involved in the treatment. In your opinion, what are the indications that are most challenging for dental implan- tologists, and how can the software help facilitate treatment of these cases? The most important advantage of using NobelClinician is that one can draw on a great deal of information, especially about anatomical structures, and this capability was not available in the past in the early stages of implant planning, before even start- ing treatment. This helps increase precision and accuracy tremendously. Placing im- plants should always be both precise and ac- curate. However, this is not always the case. At a recent scientific meeting, I learned that only about 30 percent of implants are placed in the right position. Dr. Scott MacLean, specialist in restorative and implant dentistry, is part of the renowned faculty of the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium. More to explore! Dr. Scott MacLean will be talking about the best approaches to patient communication attoday’sPartneringforLifeforum,whichwill take place from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. More information about NobelClinician is available at www.nobelbiocare.com/nobelclinican. According to your experience, what ap- proaches and tools can help dental pro- fessionals grow their practice and increase patient flow? There are many things we cannot de- scribe. Thus, the most effective approach is to stimulate patients visually, as this en- hances their limbic system and helps them make decisions. NobelClinician Software can be a great asset in this regard, as it can be used not only as a planning tool but also as an educational tool. Dentists can show their patients different aspects of the treatment outcome, which is what they are most inter- ested in. This is comparable to the booking process in a travel agency. If you want to go process in a travel agency. If you want to go to Hawaii, the agent will not show you pic- to Hawaii, the agent will not show you pic- tures of hour-long flights but images of the tures of hour-long flights but images of the beach to help you visualize your final desti- beach to help you visualize your final desti- nation. We sometimes focus too much on the nation. We sometimes focus too much on the details of the procedure itself, which might details of the procedure itself, which might scare the patient and make him or scare the patient and make him or her apprehensive about treatment. her apprehensive about treatment. Visual stimula- tion is an Digital treatment planning with NobelClinician: The user-friendly solution for diagnostics, treatment planning and patient communication.