By Danny Chan

​Every dentist in the world recommends daily flossing. While dentists and dental hygienists might be able to convince patients about the benefits of dental flossing for effective interproximal cleaning, getting them to stick to the daily regime is a lot trickier. Part of the reason for the reticence is the perceived hassles involved – compared to brushing, flossing admittedly demands more time and skill. So is there an easier way to achieve the healthy outcomes? Well, the answer may be Philips’ latest commercially available interdental cleaner, Sonicare Airfloss Ultra.
 
The Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra harnesses air and micro-droplet technology to easily clean the entire mouth – in less than 60 seconds! Boasting a high performance nozzle and spray, the portable handheld device powerfully yet gently cleans between teeth and along the gumline. To experience the high speed floss-like cleaning action, all the user has to do is point, press and clean. Compare that to winding a minty thread around your index finger then struggling to find the grooves in which to insert it, the difference can be rather substantial.
 
Put simply, the Airfloss Ultra takes the chore out of flossing without compromising on the results that routine flossing delivers. It also serves as a persuasive nudge for the reluctant flosser.
 
“AirFloss Ultra is not designed to directly replace floss in all aspects, for example, the removal of large debris from between teeth. Nonetheless, it is an excellent alternative for daily interdental cleaning for inconsistent flossers,” says Dr. Maha Yakob, Director of Clinical and Scientific Affairs – Philips Oral Healthcare.
 
Exciting as the product is, the idea behind the Airflosser Ultra is not new: Bursts of compressed air accelerates micro-droplets of water (or mouthwash) to clean every nook and cranny. The micro-droplets of air reach speeds of 111mph / 180 kph, unleashing a stream of compressed air and water-droplets able to physically disrupt plaque from the interproximal space and push it out from between teeth.
 
The unique technology combines air and mouth rinse or water to gently burst away plaque that normal brushing fails to reach. Although it offers high speed cleaning, the air and micro-droplet cleaner is safe and gentle for everyday use – triple-burst customizable settings offer different levels of intensity as preferred. Children under the age of 12 may use the device but should be supervised to ensure proper use. AirFloss Ultra helps prevent cavities from forming in the spaces between teeth – delivering clinically proven results of up to 99.9% plaque removal.1
 
AirFloss Ultra has been designed with key barriers to daily flossing in mind, Dr. Yakob confirms:
 
“Consumers complain that they do not floss because it takes too much time – perceived to take over 2 minutes. They do not feel a significant difference after flossing and they don’t like sticking their fingers in their mouths – it hurts (fingers and gums). They also tend to forget to floss because the floss hides away in their bathroom drawer.”
 
It is not surprising then that the Philips Sonicare AirFloss Ultra was specifically designed using floss as a benchmark for effectiveness. As far as clinical tests and user surveys are concerned, the product has exceeded most, if not all, of the expectations:

• AirFloss Ultra has been clinically proven as effective as floss for gum Health 2
• Clinically proven as effective as string floss for gum health 2
• Up to 97% of patients experienced improved gum health in 4 weeks 2
• 89% of users surveyed said AirFloss Ultra is easier to use that string floss
• 95% of users surveyed said AirFloss Ultra is easy to use
• 82% of users surveyed said AirFloss Ultra is easier to use than Waterpik 4

 
Not only will patients get to enjoy the easy and effective cleaning sensation that Airfloss Ultra offers, it may be just the technology that inconsistent flossers need in order to form a healthy habit.
 
At the time of this writing, the Australian launch of the latest airflosser is set for November 2015. The recommended patient price is $219.95. Dentists may contact Philips Oral Healthcare on 1800 621 448 for dental professional pricing.

1. Removes up to 99.9% of plaque from treated areas
2. In a lab study. Actual in-mouth results may vary
3. When used in conjunction with a manual toothbrush and anti-microbial mouth rinse in patients with mild to moderate gingivitis. AirFloss is designed to help inconsistent flossers develop a healthy daily interdental cleaning routine
4. Versus Waterpik Aquarius

This article first appeared in Australasian Dentist
 

The list includes:

Brush DJ
Teeth Whitener
Dictionary of Dental Terminology
Dental Expert
iBraceHelp
My Smile
Monster Mouth DDS
Dental Phobia
Tooth First Aid
KidsDental
Tooth Brushing Motivator
Dentistry Encyclopedia
Dentistry ProConsult
Dental Manager
Paediatric Dental Expert
DentalXChange Activity Snapshot
​Orasphere

Dr Mark Levi discusses his unwavering – and well-deserved – support for Levitch Design Australia. 

By Danny Chan

We all know how stressful clinic renovations can be. It typically begins with a good amount of research to locate a reliable fitout company. After deciding on one, you have to deal with a barrage of emails, meetings, site visits and phonecalls – even at the initial design and planning stages – before a single brick is laid. If you’re lucky, actual construction promptly rolls out, and – more fingers crossed – ends on schedule with only minor hiccups along the way. Otherwise, the building phase can be fraught with multiple – unforeseen – problems and missed deadlines. 

For Dr Mark Levi, Owner of Dr Levi’s (previously known as The Smile Shop), the process for his clinic’s renovation was quite different, but in a good way. Last July, Dr Levi decided to move the Sydney CBD practice into an empty 92-sqm unit within the same arcade building as his former premises, the sole location he had been practicing for more than 20 years. Without giving it another thought, he immediately turned to Levitch Design Australia for the fitout – essentially a ground-up design and construction project that includes reworking the ceilings and four walls. 

Dr Levi’s confidence in the specialist renovator stem from almost 25 years of employing their services for ad hoc renovation works and familiarity with their “professionalism and work rate”. 

“Just make it look fantastic”

Although this would be the first major construction project he is entrusting to the fitout team, Dr Levi did not even consider alternatives or get a second quote. He didn’t even have a budget per se – just a ballpark figure of 300K-500K. The final bill came up to $420K, including all construction work, new equipment and installations. 

“With Levitch Design, it’s all about quality, quality and quality. We’re talking about a David Jones level of quality and I’ve always been happy with their service,” he enthuses. Despite going in with high expectations, Dr Levi says the results still managed to exceed them. 

The self-described “challenging customer” says he knew what he wanted but not how to get there. 

“All I wanted were two dental rooms, a consulting room for patients and a bathroom. My only request was that (Levitch Design) make it look fantastic. And they did!”

Dr Levi ascribes Levitch’s performance to their “solutions provider” mentality. This was immediately apparent from the two to three “quick roundtable meetings” during the design and planning stages. 

“Every subsequent meeting would effectively address problems raised in the previous one, such that no time was wasted. In the end, all the discussion points and ideas came together in the form of an extensive visual presentation with highly detailed schematics.”

Exacting groundwork, Dr Levi says, paved the way for a smooth construction phase. Once the stringent time frame of 8 weeks had been confirmed, that was it – no hand wringing requests for extensions or excuses for “unforeseen circumstances”. The effective work rate, Dr Levi avers, had also to do with the attitude and mindset of the fitout team. 

“Levitch people”, Dr Levi addresses affectionately, “work cohesively as a team and with the client in a calm and unassuming way”. 

“I know at least 10 people working in Levitch – all on first name basis. I could just ring any of them up and things get done. They are proactive.” 

Dr Levi praises the team’s unflinching confidence and resolve to get the work done on time. “They never used ‘car-salesman tactics’, didn’t tell lies or get flustered under pressure. They were always patient and transparent with what was going on.”

The overriding goal of the fitout was to render the clinic a professional yet comfortable environment that accentuates the practice’s image and branding – as well as the principal dentist’s stellar reputation. 

Dr Mark Levi is a highly sought after dentist with a special focus on teeth whitening. He claims to have performed more whitening treatments each year than any of his Australian peers. Dr Levi specialises in difficult teeth whitening cases, of which the prime example is “turning blackened front teeth white” – he reckons only five dentists nationwide can provide such dramatic results and welcomes referrals from dentists who come across similar cases. 

Another area of Dr Levi’s expertise is sleep medicine, which along with teeth whitening, are main topics of his local and international lectures. The energetic practitioner is also a high profile dental commentator regularly featured on Nine Network television programmes as well as guest judge at the Miss Universe Australia competition.

Design articulates brand image 

Commenting on the final outcome, Dr Levi says a more professional statement could not have been made. “From the ergonomical design and layout to clever details that enhance patient and staff comfort; from the avant garde decor to the calm and relaxing environment, the fitout embodies the quality standards and professionalism that our practice stands for – and continues to strive for.”

Among the many standout features are the three digital lightboxes that serve not only as practical marketing tools, but strategically add a touch of sophistication to otherwise staid looking walls. 

Dr Levi says the team cleverly incorporated his idea to keep the clinic’s lights on after closing hours, as a lifesize billboard aimed at the arcade’s late passerby traffic. “They tweaked the ceiling lights and absolutely delivered the effect I wanted. The lighting generates a beautiful aura of the clinic at night.” 

In terms of space utilisation, he effuses: “(Levitch’s interior design team) so cleverly used up every nook and cranny of available space that I literally went from thinking I have limited storage space to having more than I could have ever imagined.” 

Happiest dentist in town

Levitch’s vast experience with dental fitouts meant they understood not just the client’s mindset but the patient’s as well. For example, Dr Levi’s initial misgivings that an enormous floral artwork at the entrance could be better utilised as a display shelf for marketing collaterals, had been logically countered by the interior designer. The rationalisation given that tasteful artwork helps to illuminate the practice’s propensity for beauty and artistry was a sound one, Dr Levi readily acknowledges – especially for a cosmetically-driven practice like his. 

“All in all, they must be doing something right”, the Sydney dentist quips, pointing to overwhemingly positive feedback to the clinic’s new look and feel. “In all my 30 years as a private practitioner, I have never seen more positive patient response to a dental clinic environment than the feedback I have received for this one.” 

Concluding that the money is well invested, Dr Levi explains: “The renovation is critically important as it tells the world the sort of dentistry you want to do and the sort of dentist you want to be.” 

Calling himself the “happiest dentist in town”, Dr Levi believes the fitout articulates his practice’s message right down to the letter: “What more can I ask for?” ​

This article first appeared in Australasian Dentist