Administering injections: your patient’s first impression

Dr. Steven Goldberg, an NYU graduate who operates a successful practice in Boca Raton, Fla., understands just how valuable the patient’s first impression is to his practice and invented a new dental instrument called the DentalVibe.

With the knowledge that 18.8 percent of practicing dentists have considered a career change (Simon Study) because of the stress of administering anesthesia, and knowing that more than 50 percent of Americans put off going to the dentist because of fear, Goldberg invented an intra-oral device designed to reduce patient anxiety.

The device also offers increased comfort while simultaneously reducing the dentists’ stress level while administering the injection — especially the palatal and block injection.

DentalVibe’s research and development was inspired by the “Gate Control Theory of Pain.” Studies have proven that the brain can only recognize one sensation at a time when it comes to the transmission of pain throughout the body. DentalVibe has incorporated VibraPulse technology, which sends a series of pulsed vibrational impulses to the pain sensor in the patient’s brain.

The vibrations and pulses close the pain gate, therefore eliminating any opportunity for the pain of the needle penetration or the pain associated with the pressure of anesthesia within the tissue to reach the patient’s pain sensor.

“When I graduated dental school I recognized that I truly wasn’t 100 percent comfortable with the injection process. Although I used different techniques and products through the years, none really provided me with complete confidence or predictability.

“Seven years ago I started investigating alternative solutions, and through the idea and concept stage emerged the early prototype for the DentalVibe,” said Goldberg.

The early design called for the device to be manufactured with a brushed aluminum casing, but soon the look changed to a softer, more patient-friendly design. “I recognized that if the objective was addressing patient anxiety and comfort, then the instrument needed to appear friendly and non-threatening,” said Goldberg.

Eventually the company settled on a design that somewhat resembles a power toothbrush, hoping that patients would recognize DentalVibe as a friendly instrument.

DentalVibe is a perfect partner for administering anesthesia as its sleek design works as an oral retractor, allowing for tremendous sightlines and access to the injection site. DentalVibe also incorporates an illumination feature that produces a beam of light into the injection area.

Since launching DentalVibe in February, the company said it has been receiving nothing but high praise from the dental community.

According to the company, the early adopters who incorporated DentalVibe into their practices quickly recognized that patients embrace this new technology.Dentists found patients were asking about the DentalVibe as they returned for their next visit and kids were fascinated by the accessory toys that clip on to the end of the instrument for pediatric procedures.

The company said it has received inquiries from more than 90 different countries and had hundreds of dentists gather at its trade show booths in New York and Chicago.

“There’s an obvious natural market for this instrument,” said Scott Mahnken, vice president of sales and marketing.

To expand the product’s awareness and to allow dentists to try DentalVibe, the company is offering a limited time in-office clinical trial. Dentists can try DentalVibe risk-free in their own office for 30 days.

“We feel that once a dentist tries DentalVibe and witnesses the immediate impact it has on the practice that DentalVibe will be part of the standard of care for each patient,” said Mahnken.

DentalVibe is sold direct to dental offices and is not available through dental product distributors. Each office that purchases a DentalVibe is assigned an in-house dental professional. The dental professional is there to address any clinical or technical questions the office might have.

The learning curve for implementing DentalVibe into the procedure is minimal and most dentists are comfortable with the device within 10–15 minutes.

DentalVibe is cordless and can operate on 110V or 220V, and it’s portable so you only need one per office.

Replacement comfort tips are available in two sizes, adult and pediatric, and there’s a selection of animal tops that can be mounted on the end of DentalVibe that are ideal for when you’re treating younger patients.

Imagine rewarding younger patients with a gift for being good patients during the injection process. A few of the pediatric dentists using DentalVibe have reported that kids in their office are asking if they are getting a shot so that they can receive their toy animal gift.

According to the company, one visit to www.dentalvibe.com will show you that DentalVibe is being recognized as a revolutionary new dental instrument. With just a few months presence in the market, the company has attracted the attention of local news media. Several neighborhood dentists have already been featured on the local news and are seeing the benefits of new patient referrals.

DentalVibe is a unique instrument. It was designed to scientifically improve the injection experience for both the patient and the dentist.

What the company didn’t realize is that it would become a “referral machine,” and also reduce cancellations because patients know the injection is no longer an issue, according to company representatives.

One new DentalVibe dentist said: “I was a creature of habit, and initially I was a bit hesitant to try DentalVibe. After using DentalVibe on a few patients, I immediately recognized there was less stress. Later, when I heard a patient sharing the experience with their relative in my waiting room, I knew I made a good decision.”