LET'S TALK ABOUT THE 800LB GORILLA IN THE ROOM MOST WHITENING COMPANIES JUST SELL GEL BOUTIQUE HAS BUILT THE SYSTEM Subscription $99.00 per annum Australia’s leading clinical, business, technology & lifestyle magazine for the dental professional
Contents 36 24 26 6 66 70 102 2 People 4 News 12 Cover Feature 14 Innovations 24 Company Profile 30 Products 36 Events 46 Australian Dentistry Awards 52 Clinical 52 Fast and Predictable Aesthetics with Injectable Composites 56 Nuceiva vs Xeomin: Two outstanding toxins, two different approaches 57 Off-label botulinum toxin prescribing: what dentists should revisit after Ahpra’s new guidance 62 Simplifying class II restorations without an adjacent tooth: A Garrison ReelMatrix approach case study 66 Smile Analysis Part II: Micro Aesthetics 70 Vital pulp therapy in deep caries using MTA-based direct pulp capping and adhesive restoration 74 Clinical performance of a simplified universal composite in posterior and selected anterior restorations: A twocase report 82 From habit to skill: everyone can learn to brush better 84 Efficiency vs. Aesthetics – Can They Be Combined in a Single Composite? 88 Beyond the digital workflow: The revival of refractory veneers 94 Profile 96 Infection Control, Sterilisers and Steriliser Solution 100 Oral Health 101 Beyond the Dental Chair 102 Artificial Intelligence 108 Beyond Clinical 112 Columnists 120 Is there life after Dental Practice ownership 122 Aquisitions 124 Gamma Talk: Radiation Safety 126 Reality Bites 128 The Full Complement Publisher Great Australian Publishing PO Box 4230 Black Rock, Vic 3193 Amos Lang – Managing Editor Founding editor & publisher of Australasian Dentist and Implant Dentistry Today; editor and journalist. B.A. (Writing Majors) Advertising Tel: 03 9502 0792 Mobile: 0402 405 279 Editorial, subscription and mailing enquiries Tel: 03 9502 0792 Email: gapmagazines@gmail.com PO Box 4230 Black Rock, Vic 3193 Material submitted: While every care is taken with solicited and unsolicited materials supplied for consideration and/or publication, neither the editor nor the publisher accept any liability for loss or damage however caused. The Publisher, Great Australian Publishing, accepts no responsibility for views expressed within supplied material. ©Copyright. This publication is copyright. No part of it may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publisher. Clinical Editors Dr Michael Stubbs B.D.Sc (Adel), M.D.S(Adel), M.D.Sc (Melb), F.R.A.C.D.S. Assoc/Professor Oral Medicine Latrobe University Consultant Oral Medicine Specialist Dr Geoffrey Hall Specialist orthodontist; teaching general dentists in the area of orthodontics, both nationally and internationally Director, BDSc (Melb) Cert Orth (Uni of Penn) MRACDS (Orth) Founder and Director of Complete Aligner Planning Service (C.A.P.S ) Feature writers Danny Chan, Jade Richardson
CATEGORY 2 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST PEOPLE Since joining Ivoclar as a Clinical Sales Specialist, Hari has quickly demonstrated a strong commitment to supporting dental professionals and helping practices achieve outstanding clinical outcomes. His success in the role has led to his recent promotion to Territory Manager. Hari brings experience from both clinical and commercial environments, having begun his career as a Dental Assistant before moving into business development within a medical start-up. His unique blend of clinical understanding and commercial expertise allows him to work closely with customers to identify solutions that support both patient care and practice success. Outside of work, Hari enjoys photography, particularly corporate headshots, and is always looking for creative ways to capture people at their best. With over two decades in the dental industry, Fiona Norrish has built a reputation for combining commercial excellence with clinical expertise. Newly appointed as Dental Product Specialist for Australia and New Zealand at Innovative Medical Technologies, she works closely with clinicians and industry partners to introduce innovative solutions, provide education, and support the advancement of modern dental care. In her spare time, Fiona is a Francophile who loves travelling, gardening, and renovating her home in Melbourne. u After more than 33 years working across marketing, branding, business growth and leadership, experienced marketing executive Marton Jakab has launched MJ Marketing Group, a Sydney-based marketing consultancy designed to help businesses combine strategic thinking with creative execution. With a career spanning multiple industries including healthcare, professional services, property, real estate, medical aesthetics, dental, education, building materials, retailers, and fashion, Marton has worked across marketing leadership, brand development, product launches, campaign management and business growth. MJ Marketing Group has been established around a simple proposition: businesses don’t always need another full-time executive or a large agency. Sometimes they need an experienced marketing partner who can understand the bigger picture and then roll up their sleeves and help get the work done. While Fractional CMO Experienced marketing leader Marton Jakab launches MJ Marketing Group Ivoclar introduces Hari Sathiyamoorthy, as their Territory Manager for NSW Innovative Medical Technologies appointment – Fiona Norrish services form part of the offering, MJ Marketing Group provides much broader marketing and creative support, including marketing strategy and planning, brand strategy and positioning, creative direction, graphic design, ai, campaign development, content and communications, digital and traditional marketing, and project implementation. “After more than three decades in marketing, I wanted to create a business that brings together the things I do best … strategy, creativity and practical execution,” said Marton. “Businesses need marketing that doesn’t just look good or sit in a strategy document. It needs to connect with customers and contribute to real business outcomes.” MJ Marketing Group works with businesses seeking experienced marketing leadership, additional marketing capability or specialist support for specific projects and growth initiatives. MJ Marketing Group works with businesses looking for a flexible, experienced marketing partner to help accelerate growth. u For further information: MJ Marketing Group | Marton Jakab T: 0414 431 010 https://mjmarketinggroup.com.au Strategy. Creativity. Execution. Please join us in congratulating Hari on his new role and welcoming him as your Ivoclar Territory Manager for NSW. To book a time to meet Hari and see how he can support you and your business, please contact him on: Hari Sathiyamoorthy, Territory manager • Mobile: 0428 356 710 Email: harrishna.sathiyamoorthy@ivoclar.com Office Address: 25 Cleg Street, Artarmon, NSW 2064 www.ivoclar.com Contact details: Fiona Norrish IMT Dental Product Specialist T: 1800 888 983 T: 03 9567 8100 M: 0450 542 424 E: fiona.norrish@innovative.com.au
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4 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST Summing up the Aligner Recycling Program: Available to all Invisalign trained providers in Australia and New Zealand Recycling boxes orderable via the Invisalign Doctor Site Payment options include Invisalign Advantage Tier points or direct purchase Accepted materials: Invisalign® clear aligners, Vivera® retainers, plastic aligner bags and cases NEWS As dental professionals and industry partners, we dedicate ourselves to improving lives every day. That same commitment extends beyond the treatment room through the choices we make for our practices, our communities, and our environment. Together, we all have a role to play in reducing waste, conserving resources, and embracing smarter, more sustainable ways of working. At NSK, sustainability is not just a corporate responsibility. It is a commitment to the generations that follow us. Every piece of equipment that is repurposed or responsibly recycled helps reduce landfill waste, conserve valuable materials, and minimise environmental impact. That is why I am excited to launch our Trade it. Upgrade it. Sustain it. initiative. More than a trade-in program, it is an opportunity to rethink how we manage dental equipment at the end of its lifecycle. Align Technology has announced the rollout of its Invisalign® Aligner Recycling Program across Australia and New Zealand, making the initiative available to all Invisalign-trained providers in the region. The expanded program follows a pilot conducted with selected practices across Australia, designed to test logistics and patient engagement in real-world practice settings. Insights from the pilot have enabled Align Technology to refine and scale a solution that integrates seamlessly into everyday practice operations, while providing a practical way to collect and recycle used Invisalign aligners, Vivera retainers and associated packaging. Through the program, Invisalign trained providers can offer patients a simple in-practice recycling pathway using dedicated Invisalign recycling boxes, available for purchase via the Invisalign Doctor Site (IDS) webstore. Importantly, the program has been structured to support accessibility for practices, with flexible payment options allowing Invisalign trained providers to either purchase boxes by cash or by redeeming Invisalign Advantage Tier points. Recycle it. Upgrade it. Sustain it. A NSK initiative towards a more sustainable future Align Technology expands Invisalign® recycling program across Australia and New Zealand following pilot program By giving retired equipment a second life, we can reduce unnecessary waste while enabling clinics and practices to access the latest NSK technology through a more responsible approach to resource management and recycling. During my recent visit to Fiji, I had the privilege of seeing firsthand how dental professionals are making a difference in their communities despite limited resources. It was inspiring to witness NSK equipment supporting local clinics, university training programs, and mobile dental services that bring essential oral healthcare to underserved communities. These experiences reinforced that our equipment is more than technology, it plays a role in educating future clinicians, supporting dedicated practitioners, and expanding access to quality care. It was a powerful reminder of the positive impact our industry can create when innovation is Align Technology also contributes towards the overall program cost, helping reduce barriers to participation and encouraging broader adoption across its provider network. “Following a comprehensive pilot phase, our focus was to create a recycling solution that is not only environmentally responsible, but also practical for everyday clinical use,” said Moez Attia, VP and Managing Director ANZ & SEA, and Strategic Initiatives APAC “By incorporating feedback from Invisalign trained providers, we’ve developed a recycling program that supports both practice workflows and growing patient expectations around sustainability.” The recycling program enables the collection of used Invisalign® clear aligners, Vivera® retainers and eligible packaging materials through practices, offering patients a visible and convenient way to participate in recycling through their provider. This initiative forms part of Align Technology’s broader commitment to reducing environmental impact and supporting more sustainable practices across the orthodontic ecosystem. u combined with purpose. Sustainability is not achieved through one large action. It is built through many small, conscious decisions that collectively create meaningful and lasting impact. Through initiatives like this, we are not only investing in better technology but also helping build a more sustainable future for our industry. Thank you for being part of this journey! u For more information, contact: Pennie Cruickshank Associate Marketing Director, Enterprise Accounts ANZ Invisalign Australia Pty Ltd email pcruickshank@aligntech.com By Phil Fitzgibbon, Managing Director of NSK Oceania The Invisalign ANZ recycling box is suitable to promote recycling in your practice waiting room, order from the Invisalign Doctor Site.
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CATEGORY 6 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST NEWS Around 160 dental students from 31 countries took part in this year’s Ivoclar Summer School. The event was hosted by Ivoclar Academies and partner institutions across ten countries and on four continents. Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Portugal participated in the program for the first time this year. Since 2022, the Summer School has built a strong international reputation, with places filling fast every year. Pre-registration for the 2027 edition of the Ivoclar Summer School is open now. Over five days and across 10 locations, students honed the practical skills they need to treat their first patients – from taking a patient’s medical history to carrying out treatment. Building on the foundations of their university studies, they worked with materials and equipment commonly used in everyday clinical practice and broadened their knowledge of topics such as digital dentistry, aesthetics and soft skills in workshops and expert lectures. Beyond developing their professional competencies, the Ivoclar Summer School gave the students a unique opportunity to connect with future dentists from around the world. Maria, from Georgia: “The practical sessions are my favourite part of the Summer School. I can feel myself getting better day by day, especially when it comes to restorations.” Hosted by Ivoclar Academies, dental institutions and universities This year’s program took place in Berlin, Bogotá, Delhi, Lisbon, London, Mexico City, São Paulo, Schaan, Warsaw and Vienna. Ivoclar Academies are global hubs for the continuing education and professional development of dentists and dental technicians, offering hands-on training in fully equipped, state-of-the-art facilities. At selected locations, the Ivoclar Summer School is held in collaboration with established institutions: In Lisbon, the participants trained at Malo Clinic, an institution internationally recognised for its expertise in implantology. In London, the program was hosted by King’s College, whose dental school regularly ranks among the leading dental schools worldwide. “We are delighted to be hosting the Ivoclar Summer School at King’s once again,” said Professor Michael Escudier, Executive Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, Oral & Craniofacial Sciences at King’s College London. “The continued success of this collaboration reflects our shared commitment to excellence in dental education. The program provides students with valuable exposure to emerging technologies, innovative clinical techniques and international perspectives, while also helping them build professional networks and develop the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving profession. We look forward to strengthening this partnership and creating further opportunities for our students in the future.” Travel. Learn. Connect. From Berlin to São Paulo The program’s growing global reach is reflected in the diversity of its participants, who came from a total of 31 countries across all locations. In Berlin, 20 students representing eleven nationalities participated – the program’s greatest diversity in a single location this year. São Paulo, one of the four new Summer School locations, hosted the largest group, with 25 students. At King’s College London, 20 students from six countries took part in the program, while Malo Clinic in Lisbon welcomed 15 participants from nine countries. “We at MALO CLINIC were delighted to welcome the Ivoclar Summer School to our education centre in Lisbon for the first time. Bringing together students from nine countries for a week of intensive practical learning aligns closely with the vision of our centre: to create a place where people can connect, share knowledge and gain handson skills within an international dental community. The curiosity, commitment and progress of the participants have been truly impressive. Our partnership with Ivoclar reflects our shared commitment to nurturing and supporting the next generation of dental professionals.” Registration for 2027 The Ivoclar Summer School will return next year, with programs taking place at locations around the world between June and September. The locations for 2027 will be announced at the start of the year. Registration is expected to open in early March. Interested students can sign up for early access and will be among the first to receive updates on locations and dates. u Find out more at https://www.ivoclar.com/summerschool Ivoclar Summer School brings together students from 31 countries More than ever, Buy Australian. Support Australian jobs. Ivoclar Summer School gives dental students the opportunity to use their summer break to develop their clinical skills beyond the classroom.
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CATEGORY 8 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST NEWS The Ivoclar Smile Award recognises outstanding restorative cases from around the world. This year, an international panel of experts recognised dentists and dental technicians who showcased their exceptional skills and expertise through their work with materials from the IPS e.max system. The winners and finalists were honoured at a special awards ceremony held as part of the Ivoclar LATAM Symposium in Mexico City. The awards recognised impressive treatment outcomes characterised by precision, creativity and high aesthetic standards in the “Proven Masters” and “Rising Talents” categories. All winning restorations were fabricated using materials from the IPS e.max family. For many years, IPS e.max has set the benchmark for aesthetics and function while supporting minimally invasive treatment approaches. Survival rates of over 95% after up to 17 years further underscore the long-term clinical success of the IPS e.max family. IPS e.max enables highly aesthetic and reliable restorations, helping patients achieve healthy, natural-looking smiles and improve their quality of life. Martin Frontull, Chief Marketing Officer at Ivoclar, commented: “With the Ivoclar Smile Award, we celebrate exceptional talent from across the global dental community. It is inspiring to see how dental laboratories and dental practices continue to push the boundaries of what is possible with our solutions. The awardwinning cases highlight the expertise and dedication that contribute to restoring healthy, natural smiles.” International expert jury evaluates outstanding cases All submissions were assessed anonymously based on case documentation, photographs and video material. Key evaluation criteria included clinical complexity, aesthetic execution, material selection and patient satisfaction. A 16-member international panel of experts, including dentists, dental technicians and renowned opinion leaders, evaluated the entries. Jury member Vincent Fehmer commented: “The Ivoclar Smile Award is a fantastic initiative. Every case submitted reflects an exceptional level of skill, precision and dedication in working with IPS e.max. On behalf of the entire jury, I would like to congratulate all winners and finalists on their outstanding achievements.” Award Ceremony in Mexico City Teams from around the world, consisting of dental technicians and dentists, submitted their most impressive restorative cases. In the “Proven Masters” category, the jury selected three teams from each of the participating regions: Latin America, EMEA, Asia as well as North America and Oceania to advance to the finals. Together with the three “Rising Talents” finalists, Ivoclar celebrates the winners of the Ivoclar Smile Award 2026 for IPS e.max they were honoured at award ceremony, held on 13 August 2026 at the World Trade Center in Mexico City. All finalists were invited by Ivoclar to attend the two-day LATAM Symposium, including travel and accommodation. In addition to the awards ceremony, the event offered valuable opportunities for professional development and exchange with colleagues from around the world. Participants also had the chance to experience the latest innovations in dentistry firsthand. “I may be the one accepting this award, but I was simply the conduit through which so many contributions came together in one special case – the guidance of my mentors over the years, the inspiration of my colleagues, the tireless work of my assistant Afonso and the brilliant Bilal, the trust of my wonderful patient Candace, and the nurturing environment created by everyone at Oasis Dental Studio. I couldn’t be more proud or grateful!” says Dr Niall Quigley from Gold Coast Australia An overview of all award winners is available here: Ivoclar Smile Award 2026 Winners u For more information, visit: https:// smileaward.ivoclar.com/ 16% Carbamide Peroxide and Chlorofluor Gel SINCE 1989 Finalists and winners of the Ivoclar Smile Award 2026 gathered in Mexico City to celebrate their success and receive their awards during a festive ceremony.
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10 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST NEWS Music is a common feature in many dental practices, helping create a more welcoming and calming environment in waiting rooms, reception areas and treatment spaces. However, many practice owners are unaware that playing copyrightprotected music in a business setting typically requires permission from the copyright owners. If you play music that patients, visitors or staff can hear in your dental practice, a music licence may be required under Australia’s Copyright Act 1968/New Zealand’s Copyright Act (1994) Why dental practices may need a music licence When music is played in a commercial environment, such as a dental practice, it is generally considered a public performance. This includes music heard in waiting rooms, treatment areas and other parts of a practice where patients, visitors or staff may be present. A OneMusic licence provides permission for dental practices to play the vast majority of the world’s most popular music while helping meet their copyright obligations. A licence may be required regardless of how music is played Many practice owners assume they are covered because they pay for a streaming subscription or use a radio station as background music. However, a music licence may still be required when copyright-protected music is played through: u Waiting room televisions or radios u CDs and digital music downloads u Consumer or commercial music streaming services u Background music supplier services u Music played in treatment rooms, reception areas or staff areas The source of the music does not change the need for permission to use it in a business environment. What is OneMusic? In New Zealand, APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ established OneMusic in 2013. The OneMusic joint licensing initiative simplifies the licensing process for businesses, by offering single OneMusic licence agreements on behalf of APRA AMCOS and Recorded Music NZ. In Australia, OneMusic is a joint music licensing initiative of APRA AMCOS and PPCA. Established in 2019, it simplifies music licensing by providing a single licence covering both musical works and sound recordings. For dental practices, this means one straightforward solution for legally playing music in their business. Supporting the creators behind the music Licence fees collected through OneMusic are distributed as royalties to songwriters, composers, music publishers, recording artists and record labels, after administration costs. This helps ensure the people who create and record the music enjoyed by all are fairly compensated for its use. What if a practice doesn’t have a licence? Playing copyright-protected music in a dental practice without permission may constitute copyright infringement and can expose a business to legal action, damages and associated costs. Are there alternatives? Practices can choose to play original commissioned music or music for which they have secured all necessary permissions directly from rights holders. However, for most dental practices, a OneMusic licence is the simplest and most practical way to obtain permission to use copyrightprotected music. u To learn more about music licensing for dental practices, visit OneMusic Australia at onemusic.com.au, or OneMusic New Zealand at onemusicnz.com Music licensing 101 for dental practices amalgadent.com.au SCIENCE & DENTISTRY. BONDED. Join us at Booth #121 Buy 2 get 1 free of the same product and shade Valid to 31/12/2026
CATEGORY 12 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST COVER FEATURE Ask a room full of dental professionals who should be placing peroxide onto a patient’s teeth, and every hand goes up the same way: dentists, oral health therapists, and hygienists all agree, without exception, that this is a clinical treatment that belongs in a clinical setting. Yet an estimated 70% of the money spent on teeth whitening in Australia goes outside dentistry, and the reason, in my opinion, is twofold. The first is that the legislation allows it. A non-dental provider can legally supply up to 6% hydrogen peroxide or 18% carbamide peroxide. And yet you only need around 10% carbamide peroxide, which is roughly 3.5% hydrogen peroxide, to successfully whiten teeth. This means the public can buy peroxide strong enough to change their tooth colour from salons, pharmacies, supermarkets, shopping centre kiosks, online retailers and social media influencers, all promising fast, dramatic results, and what ties them together is marketing and over-glamorisation. One-hour teeth whitening, LED lights, charcoal pastes, whitening strips and miracle toothpastes all compete on one promise, speed, and speed has become the biggest myth in teeth whitening, one that many patients are still misled by. More concerning, many non-dental providers have no way to determine whether teeth whitening is even appropriate, because tooth decay, restorative issues, recession, enamel defects, sensitivity, age and other oral health conditions should all be assessed before peroxide is ever placed onto teeth, and without that assessment teeth whitening becomes guesswork and a risk rather than healthcare. The second is that it is not that dentists do not want to provide teeth whitening, it is that dentistry was never given a system for it, so teeth whitening tends to be reactive rather than prescribed, focussing on the problem first, not the solution. So, the practice waits for the patient to ask. But unless highly motivated by an event, patients rarely ask because they are slightly embarrassed; it feels like pointing out a flaw in their own appearance, and on the other side of the chair, starting that conversation can feel a little bit salesy. I understand that completely, because it conflicts with the clinical identity most dentists have spent years building. I know this first-hand, because before entering dentistry I worked in the UKs teeth whitening industry during its largely unregulated years, when salons, spas, pharmacies and online businesses flooded the market, and I was one of them. I sold direct to the public, and it took me a long time to see why that was wrong. When UK legislation changed in 2012, restricting teeth whitening to dental professionals, I closed that business because it had no clinical oversight, and the question became how I could help dental practices and their providers reclaim teeth whitening. Ironic. Since moving to Australia, I have dedicated my career to educating dental professionals on evidence-based teeth whitening, and while standards have improved, misinformation remains everywhere, social media still promises 8 to 10 shades whiter in an hour, despite decades of published research showing that successful teeth whitening depends on contact time, the correct peroxide and proper diagnosis, not gimmicks. So in 2022 we introduced the Boutique Whitening clinical program to Australia, and while some things do not travel, the science does. Boutique is used by over 8,000 practices in the UK, across more than 35 countries, and by over 1,000 practices here. More recently, we proved the program again with one of the country’s largest corporate groups, National Dental Care, where five pilot practices delivered 48 new teeth whitening treatments in 21 days, with zero new patients and zero advertising, and the education program has since moved into a broader national rollout. The goal was simple, help more adults who have a concern with their tooth colour, and do it with the right treatment plan, based on a proper assessment and the science of peroxide, so the patient gets the result they want with sensitivity managed from the start. “Our team left the teeth whitening workshop with Stephen feeling confident about having a conversation with patients about tooth colour for the first time, rather than selling teeth whitening. The Boutique Whitening clinical program is a system that is very easy to introduce, and not only have the results been much better than before, the team also started 10 new treatments in the first 21 days from implementation.” Dr Jason Ho and Andrea Hallas, 2IC, National Dental Care Box Hill, April 2026 The opportunity already exists inside your practice, because patients are coming through every day who are quietly unhappy with the colour of their teeth, and many of them leave without the conversation ever happening, so they go somewhere else, spending their money on something that often disappoints them, or worse, puts their oral health at risk. Dentistry does not need to win teeth whitening back with louder marketing, it needs the system it was never given, because the science has always belonged to the profession, and once the system is there, teeth whitening becomes exactly what it should have been all along, a prescribed clinical treatment delivered by the people best placed to do it. So here is my question, how many of your adult patients this week will leave without anyone asking about the colour of their teeth? If you would like to find out, call me on 0416 629 015. u Stephen Douglas • 0416 629 015 stephen@boutiquewhitening.com.au The 70% dentistry never sees Every dental professional agrees teeth whitening belongs in a clinical setting, yet most of it happens somewhere else. By Stephen Douglas, Teeth Whitening Systems Educator National Manager, Boutique Whitening Australia Stephen Douglas
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CATEGORY 14 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST INNOVATIONS Behind every successful service business are people, people with the knowledge to solve problems, the experience to get things right and the commitment to look after customers. For Queensland Dental Services (QDS), people have always been at the heart of the business. From a small service team to a Queensland success story QDS began in 2012 when Ian Colley and John Grey established the business following the outsourcing of their dental service unit by Queensland Health. The initial goal was simple: build enough work to create a reliable and sustainable service business. Within 18 months, QDS was awarded a major Queensland Health contract to maintain over 800 dental surgeries including chairs and X-ray equipment across Southern Queensland. The contract required short response times, strong service performance and a focus on fixing equipment correctly the first time. QDS expanded its team and technical capability to support a large and geographically dispersed customer base. Importantly, the four employees recruited during that early period are still with QDS today, a reflection of the people-focused workplace Ian and Rhonwyn Colley have worked to create. Growing with our customers As customers asked QDS to support more of their equipment, the business continued to evolve. Services expanded beyond dental chairs and X-ray equipment to include sterilisers and other dental equipment, together with breakdown support, preventative maintenance and compliance services. QDS also grew beyond its government client base, supporting private dental practices throughout South East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. QDS continued to differentiate itself through service quality: factory-trained technicians, responsive scheduling, strong technical support, quality management systems and a focus on first-time resolution. The business also developed considerable expertise in refurbishing A-dec dental chairs, extending the useful life of quality equipment that may otherwise have been replaced. Building for the future Changes within the Australian dental industry created both challenges and opportunities. QDS recognised the importance of continuing to evolve while retaining the values of a privately owned, family-operated business. This led to a stronger focus on equipment sales through National Dental Equipment (NDE). The roles of the two businesses are clear. QDS provides service and technical support across Queensland and Northern New South Wales, while NDE supplies dental equipment Australia wide, supported by a network of like-minded service partners. Together, QDS and NDE combine local technical capability with broader national equipment supply. But the principle behind that growth remains simple: find good people, give them opportunities, support them and enable them to provide exceptional service. People first Following substantial growth, QDS and NDE are continuing to invest in the people, systems and technology needed to deliver consistently high levels of service. Field processes and scheduling are being streamlined, while improved reporting and asset management are giving customers better visibility of their equipment. Corey’s Help Line already enables many customer issues to be diagnosed or resolved without waiting for a technician to attend site. QDS is also exploring how digital and AI-enabled tools can assist its experienced team, improve access to technical information and help customers receive faster support. The aim is simple: give our people the tools, training and information they need to do what they do best — solve problems and look after customers. A more sustainable dental industry The second major focus is sustainability. For QDS and NDE, sustainability means looking at the full lifecycle of dental equipment and considering how servicing, refurbishment and product choices can reduce waste and make better use of resources. A well-built dental chair can have many years of useful working life remaining, even when a practice decides it is time to upgrade. This thinking is behind initiatives such as the national dental chair buy-back program, which provides an opportunity for existing equipment to be refurbished, reused or responsibly managed rather than unnecessarily becoming waste. The same approach extends to supporting energy-efficient equipment, environmentally responsible cleaning products and practices that help dental businesses reduce their environmental impact. Sustainability and good business practice do not need to be competing objectives. Extending the life of quality equipment can be good for the customer, good for the industry and good for the environment. Staying local while continuing to grow Despite significant growth, QDS remains proudly Queensland owned and operated. The goal is to continue strengthening QDS as a leading dental equipment service provider across Queensland and Northern New South Wales, while NDE continues to expand its Australia-wide equipment supply network. There will always be new technology, new equipment and further change within the dental industry. But one thing is unlikely to change. People make it possible. It is the knowledge, commitment and customer-first attitude of the people within QDS, NDE and their partner businesses that have brought the group this far, and they will continue to drive what comes next. u People make it possible The driving force behind Queensland Dental Services A-Dec dealership. New chair sales.
CATEGORY 16 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST INNOVATIONS I stopped blaming cost for unaccepted treatment plans. I saw a patient a few years back. A few extractions, crowns and fillings needed. I went through it properly. Showed her photos, explained the crowns, explained what happens if we leave it. She nodded, saying it made sense. Booked at the front desk. She cancelled four days later. No reason given. I never saw her again. I told myself it was the money. That is the easy answer, and sometimes it is the right one. But I tracked it loosely for months, and the pattern did not fit. Plenty of the patients who disappeared could afford the treatment. Some had health fund cover sitting unused. A few came back long after with the same tooth, now unrestorable, and paid considerably more for a worse outcome. So I started asking the ones who came back what happened. The answers were remarkably consistent. They went home, someone asked what the dentist said, and they could not explain it or forgot most of the conversation they had in surgery. They had a printed plan with item numbers and dollar figures. Nothing on it told them what a crown was, or why the tooth would not simply be fine if it did not hurt yet. I had spent seven years supervising students at Griffith. I know how to explain things. I am not convinced that was ever the problem. I sit patients up, move them across to the chair beside me, and take them through it on the screen. Photos, radiographs, the lot. I can see them understand it. Then they walk out with a printed plan covered in item numbers, and that is the only thing that survives the drive home. A partner asks what the dentist said. The patient reaches for the document, and the document does not answer the question. The plan dies at the kitchen table and you never hear about it. That last part is what bothered me most. We do not get feedback on this. We see the cancellation, not the conversation that caused it. So we fill the gap with the easiest story, which is that the patient could not afford it. I tried longer explanations, which mostly made patients more polite and no more informed. Printing intraoral photos, which helped a little. Writing notes on the back of the plan by hand, which helped more, though I could not do it for every patient on a full day. Nothing scaled. What eventually changed my thinking was realising I had the timing wrong. The treatment plan is not the end of the conversation. It is the thing the patient carries into a second conversation, the one that happens at home, without us. Every plan we hand over is a document written for a dentist, sent into a room where there is no dentist. So I built something to sit alongside it. The dentist still produces their plan as usual. Alongside it goes a plain language explainer with visuals, one the patient reads at home on their phone and can show to whoever asks. It carries the practice logo and colours, so it arrives as something from their dentist rather than from an app. That is the whole idea. It does not sell anything, it does not chase anyone, and it does not replace the conversation in the chair. It gives that conversation somewhere to live afterwards. I am not going to claim numbers I cannot back up yet. It is early, and I would rather report real figures later than impressive ones now. I have stopped assuming every declined plan is a money problem. Some of them are comprehension problems. If a patient cannot explain the treatment to the person who asks, they are unlikely to proceed with it. Worth asking your own patients who return late what actually happened. The answers surprised me, and I had been reasonably confident I was explaining things well. u Dr Raymon Krause is a practising dentist in Queensland and the founder of Treatly, a treatment plan explainer built for Australian practices. www.treatly.au The quiet no By Dr Raymon Krause Raymon Krause
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CATEGORY 18 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST INNOVATIONS Today, practices are increasingly looking beyond individual devices and toward connected workflows that improve efficiency, accuracy and patient outcomes. While digital dentistry is often associated with advances in hardware and software, the real value lies in how connected technologies can improve day-to-day practice operations. The combination of iTero™, iTero Design Suite1 and printing systems such as ASIGA delivers an end-to-end digital workflow that simplifies the journey from patient scan to final appliance. This integration bridges the gap between digital treatment planning and clinical production, supporting a range of applications across restorative, therapeutic and appliance-based workflows.2 It all starts with the scan The first step in any digital workflow is capturing a detailed representation of the patient’s oral anatomy. The iTero intraoral scanner enables clinicians to capture digital impressions that can be used throughout the treatment planning, design and manufacturing process. For clinicians, digital scanning eliminates many of the frustrations associated with traditional impressiontaking. There are no messy materials, fewer remakes and greater confidence that the information captured accurately, reflects the patient’s anatomy. For patients, the experience is designed to make the workflow more efficient, more comfortable and more modern, helping build trust and confidence from the very first appointment. Plan with confidence Once the scan is complete, iTero Design Suite creates a seamless pathway from scan to design, eliminating the need for physical models and reducing manual handling. The fully digital workflow helps improve efficiency, support precision and gives clinicians greater visibility and control throughout the process. The final step is production. By integrating with ASIGA’s advanced 3D printing technology, practices and laboratories can manufacture appliances with accuracy and consistency. For practices operating an in-house laboratory, this represents a significant shift in how treatment can be delivered. Rather than relying on external production timelines, clinicians gain greater control over manufacturing and scheduling. Appliances can often be produced much faster, enabling shorter turnaround times and, in some cases, same-day delivery. This increased control not only improves workflow efficiency but also enhances the patient experience. Patients benefit from fewer appointments, reduced waiting times and a more responsive service model. Dr Jack Milgate, owner and lead Dentist at Barwon Heads Dental and Align external clinical speaker, says, “Bringing elements of chairside printing into the practice means we’re less reliant on external steps. For certain cases, that can make the process more direct, from scan through to production, and gives us greater control over timing.” “Many of our patients travel significant distances, so there’s real value in being able to manage more of the workflow in-practice and, where appropriate, deliver an outcome on the same day. We use ASIGA technology to produce a range of appliances, from models and splints through to dentures and crowns.” “It’s not about replacing existing methods but expanding what’s possible. In our practice, chairside printing using ASIGA gives us more ways to approach treatment planning and provide care that suits both the clinical situation and the needs of our patients.” Expanding clinical applications The integration of iTero Design Suite with ASIGA supports a range of inhouse workflows, from model creation for thermoformed appliances such as mouthguards and bleaching trays, to occlusal splints, crowns, bridges and smile mock-ups. Digital models can be customised for printing, while integrated design and manufacturing workflows enable efficient production of splints and restorations. ASIGA’s new PrintPods™ technology further simplifies chairside manufacturing, offering a fast, clean and economical approach to producing patientspecific appliances and restorations. Together, these capabilities help practices move seamlessly from scan to design and production within a single digital workflow. Justin Elsey, Founder and Managing Director, ASIGA, says, “We’re seeing increasing demand from practices looking to bring more manufacturing capabilities in-house. By combining digital scanning, design software and 3D printing into a connected workflow, clinicians can move more efficiently from patient data to production while maintaining flexibility across a wide range of applications.” The combination of iTero, iTero Design Suite and ASIGA demonstrates the power of an integrated ecosystem, one that helps clinicians to work more efficiently, deliver high-quality outcomes and provide a superior patient experience. In today’s digital practice, success is no longer just about scanning, designing or manufacturing independently. It’s about connecting every step into a seamless workflow. u For more information about harnessing the iTero Design Suite in your practice, contact Brendan Morrison, Align ANZ Restorative Manager at 0430 382 123, or Align’s Customer Support Team at 1800 468 472. Email gapmagazines@gmail.com for a complete list of references This article was written by Invisalign Australia Pty Limited. Dr Jack Milgate was not paid a fee for his involvement in this article. His opinions are his own. Scan. Plan. Manufacture — all with iTero™ How 3D printing is transforming the digital workflow, giving dentists greater control and flexibility.
Retainers Aligners Night Guards Mouthguards ULTRA FAST DEEP CLEAN IN JUST 3 MINUTES For directions for use, contraindications, warnings and precautions, refer to www.haleonhealthpartner.com/en-nz/oral-health/brands/polident/products/retainer +When used as directed. **In laboratory tests. Reference: Kiesow, A. et al. (2016) J. Prosthet. Dent. 115(2) 189-198. Sponsored by Haleon. Trade marks owned or licensed by Haleon. © 2026 Haleon or licensor. PM-AU-POLD-25-00136. TAPS BG5557. Haleon, Sydney NSW Australia and Auckland, New Zealand. To request complimentary patient samples, visit www.haleonhealthpartner.com or scan the QR code AU NZ
CATEGORY 20 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST INNOVATIONS Spectrum DENTAL LAB READY TO TRY SPECTRUM? Your patients may never see the lab. But they’ll see the difference. OCTOBER + NOVEMBER Zirconia Crown Introductory Offer Contact Spectrum for details. 40+ YEARS’ EXPERIENCE FULL-SERVICE DENTAL LAB DIRECT TECHNICIAN SUPPORT 03 9650 4163 spectrumdental.com.au Introductory offer available to dentists and practices new to Spectrum Dental Laboratory. Terms and conditions apply. Introductory offer available to dentists and practices new to Spectrum Dental Laboratory. Terms and conditions apply. Spectr ER Did you know 35% of bookings happen after hours? For dental practices, that represents a significant amount of booking activity taking place when reception may not be available to answer the phone. Making it easy for patients to find and book an appointment can help increase your practice’ visibility, attract new patients and reduce the administrative burden on your front desk. HealthShare’s BookNow allows patients to book dentists across three key channels: u Private Health Fund websites and apps u Healthshare.com.au u Google Business Profile Reach health fund members looking to book a dentist Attract insured members of private health funds looking for no-gap care. BookNow gives eligible practices exposure to members looking to book with a preferred provider across: u HCF’s ‘More for Teeth’ u Medibank ‘Members’ Choice Advantage’ u HIF ‘Choice Network” Bookings-enabled listings are published across eligible health fund Find a Provider websites and apps, helping patients find and book your practice Your practice can also appear where patients are already searching, on Healthshare.com.au and Google. Healthshare.com.au reaches up to 850,000 monthly visitors, while Google receives more than 200,000 monthly searches for dentists. New integration with Core Practice With the new Core Practice integration, practices can publish real-time availability and receive online bookings, with bookings automatically syncing to the Core Practice calendar. There’s no manual data entry required. Not with Core Practice? BookNow also integrates with other leading practice management systems including Dental4Windows, Exact, Dentrix and Praktika. This makes it easy to manage online bookings alongside your existing system. Turn online bookings into new patients Online bookings can help fill your calendar and grow your practice. More than 62% of BookNow bookings come from new patients. Practices can also choose which appointments to offer for online bookings. Patients can book appointment types like “General Examination”, “Check Up and Clean” and “Toothache/Pain”, which you can enable in your MyHealth1st admin portal. Practices only pay for new patients, providing a simple way to increase visibility and make it easier for patients to book. u If you want to learn more, email bookings@ healthsharedigital.com or scan the QR code right. Make it easier for new patients to find and book your practice
CATEGORY 22 AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST INNOVATIONS Clinical photography has always been an important part of my dentistry. It allows us to document treatment, communicate with patients and laboratories, teach colleagues and review our own work. But increasingly, I wanted something photography alone could not provide. I wanted video. A photograph captures a moment. Video captures the entire process—how tissues are managed, how instruments are handled, the sequence of treatment and how a procedure progresses from beginning to end. I have found this particularly valuable when performing advanced procedures such as implantology, bone augmentation and soft-tissue grafting. These treatments involve multiple clinically important stages, and I wanted a simple way to accurately document them as an additional component of the patient’s clinical record. The challenge with clinical video Historically, recording high-quality dental procedures has not been particularly simple. I have experimented with professional cameras and different recording configurations myself. These can involve expensive cameras, lenses, tripods, ceiling or wall-mounted systems and, in some cases, another person to operate the equipment. They can produce excellent footage, but they also take time to set up and can introduce additional equipment around the dental chair. Then comes the editing. Footage may need to be transferred, reviewed and edited, potentially adding hours to the process. I found that this meant I tended to record only procedures that had been specifically planned in advance. The spontaneous clinical moments— the interesting finding or simple technique worth documenting—were often missed. The penny-drop moment Then one day I looked at the X-ray unit beside my dental chair and thought: Why am I looking for another camera positioning system when I already have one? The dental X-ray arm is stable, highly adjustable and already positioned exactly where we work. That was the paradigm shift. Instead of adding another tripod, ceiling mount or wall bracket to the surgery, why not use the equipment that is already there? That simple idea led to the development of DX-VID. DX-VID is a lightweight mounting device that allows a smartphone to be positioned using the existing dental X-ray unit. And the camera itself is already in our pocket. Modern smartphones have remarkable video capabilities, with current devices capable of recording extremely high-quality footage, including 4K video on supported models. The concept therefore became very simple: Mount the phone. Position it. Press record. Documenting advanced dentistry One of the areas where I have found DXVID particularly useful is implant and augmentation surgery. A photograph may document the initial defect and another photograph the completed graft, but video can record what happened between those two images. It can document site preparation, graft handling and positioning, implant placement, soft-tissue management and closure. Video does not replace written clinical notes, radiographs, scans or photography. Instead, I see it as an additional layer of clinical documentation, particularly for complex procedures where accurately recording the sequence of treatment can be valuable. Naturally, appropriate patient consent, privacy and clinical record-management requirements must always be observed. Learning from your own dentistry Clinical video is also an excellent learning tool. Watching a procedure afterwards provides a perspective that is difficult to achieve while actually performing it. You can review your ergonomics, instrument handling, surgical technique and workflow and consider what you might do differently next time. Appropriate footage can also be shared with mentors or colleagues for feedback. For clinicians involved in teaching, having a library of real clinical procedures is invaluable. Video demonstrates movement and technique in a way that still photographs cannot. From clinical record to content There is also an obvious role for video in patient education, presentations and social media. Because DX-VID records directly onto the smartphone, footage is immediately available for reviewing, trimming and editing using the same device. This can make producing educational or professional social-media content considerably more practical. Professional videography certainly still has an important place, particularly when producing high-end presentations or commercial content. DX-VID was designed to solve a different problem: How can we make every day clinical video simple enough to actually use? Sometimes simpler is better For me, the answer was already sitting beside the dental chair. The X-ray unit was already in the surgery. The smartphone was already in my pocket. The missing component was simply a practical way of bringing the two together. DX-VID has made it easier for me to document advanced procedures, capture spontaneous clinical moments, review my techniques and create educational content without significantly changing my normal clinical workflow. Photography will always remain an important part of dentistry. But video provides another dimension. A photograph captures the moment. Video captures the process. u For more information and clinical demonstrations: DX-VID.com Instagram: @DXVIDAU Dr Michael Zaninovich, Founder, DX-VID Rethinking clinical video: A simpler approach to recording dentistry How my search for a simpler way to record dentistry led to the development of DX-VID By Dr Michael Zaninovich, Founder, DX-VID
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