Our 10,000 dental instruments and product solutions are sold in over 100 countries, and we have over 900 employees representing and growing our brand around the world. Headquartered in Chicago, we have offices and distribution centers in Italy, Germany, China, and Japan, and a sales force spread over 30 different countries.
Hu-Friedy’s mission is the same today as it has always been – to help dental professionals perform at their best. In order to do that, we have to be at our best, too, because better dentistry starts with us - and we take that responsibility very seriously.
Running a dental office takes a lot of work, and whether it’s a private practice or part of a dental service organization (DSO), finding ways to save time, maximize efficiency, and see more patients is a universal objective. Although all practices are different and face unique challenges, one common issue is optimal instrument management.
You wake up. You stumble downstairs. You start the coffee. You feed the dog. You glance at your email on your smartphone. You’ve acted out this routine so many times, you could do it with your eyes closed (well, maybe not that last part about checking your phone).
The sterilizer is a key component of any dental practice’s infection prevention procedures. After cleaning instruments to remove any residues or heavy contamination using other tools, such as automatic cleaners, it’s the sterilizer that does the heavy lifting of neutralizing infectious microorganisms and readying instruments for recirculation.
When Dick Saslow acquired Hu-Friedy in 1958, the then 50-year-old company had only six employees – two artisans, two in corporate, and two in shipping. From those humble origins, Dick’s leadership and strategic vision served as a foundation for Hu-Friedy’s growth into a global leader in dental instrument manufacturing and infection prevention solutions.
It goes without saying that sharp instruments are better instruments. Any instrument – dental or otherwise – performs at its best when it’s in peak condition. Just like a great tennis player needs a well-strung racket or a great musician needs a well-tuned instrument, dental professionals need sharp scalers to provide the best experience for patients.
For decades, dental professionals have known microorganisms were colonizing the waterlines of their dental units. Ample evidence shows the narrow tubing, low flow rates, and frequent stagnation periods found in water delivery systems create the ideal metropolis for biofilms. These slimy mats of bacteria cling to the walls of the plastic tubes, sloughing off countless individual organisms into the water as it passes by.
By Katrina M Sanders RDH, BSDH, M.Ed, RF
One of my favorite ways to decompress as a practicing dental hygienist, speaker, business owner and thought leader is to schedule a lunch or happy hour with my friend Debi Dencek, who is an RDH and entrepreneur. I adore Debi’s sharp mind and unique wit, and she and I both share countless provocative ideas about the dental industry. It is always fun to enjoy a glass of wine while sitting across from her and debating key topics.
Ask any dentist about their infection prevention program, and they’re likely to express confidence that they’re fully compliant with all relevant regulations. But is that really the case? The slow drip of infection prevention breach stories making news around the country would suggest that compliance is more of an issue than some would like to admit.
In many ways, dental patients are just like any other type of consumer. The more satisfied your patients are with their experiences at your practice, the more likely they will be to return, keep their appointments, agree to new procedures, and refer your practice to others.
Picture the most recent clinical procedure you performed. Are you leaning over the patient or is your back erect? Are you craning your head to get a better view or is your neck relatively straight? Are your hands twisted around or are your wrists level?
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