Research Proposal
To: Dr. Erika Paterson, ENGL301 Professor
From: Lovin Kahlon
Date: June 22, 2022
Subject: Integrating Ultrasonic scaling at Pediatric Dental Practice in Winnipeg, Manitoba.
Audience Description: This report is prepared for six dentist owners, an office manager, and one business manager of a pediatric dental office located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. While dentists possess technical dental knowledge, office manager and business manager are poorly acquainted with technical words in dentistry. The pediatric dental office treats patients ranging in age from birth to 18.
Dental Hygienists are licensed oral health professionals who use a variety of tools to remove plaque, calculus, and stains from teeth to improve oral health and prevent disease. There are two ways to clean teeth: Hand Scaling and Ultrasonic water scaling. Traditionally, Dental hygienists clean teeth manually by hand-scaling or scraping with a special instrument. Ultrasonic water scaler blasts calculus mechanically with high vibrational energy, enhances patient comfort, and makes cleaning easier for dental hygienists.
Introduction: ABC pediatric dental group opened its door 15 years ago welcoming birth to 18 years of age children from Winnipeg and surrounding areas. As the practice evolved over the years, the addition of state-of-the-art dental technologies enhanced patient and provider comfort. Ten years ago, the first dental hygienist was welcomed into the team which led to the start of an in-house dental hygiene recare program. Now, four dental hygienists work alongside dentists to ensure the highest standard of care is provided for patients.
At the beginning of the recare program, hand scaling was the only tool implemented for cleaning teeth. The business has grown steadily over the years, with a significant majority of patients over 14 years of age. To keep up with the need for comprehensive care, an alternative means of cleaning teeth is required to continue to strive for a golden standard to provide care.
Statement of problem: While ABC practice has grown in business over the past few years and now has a large patient base of older children, cleanings are still done manually by hand scaling. This inefficiency caused several problems, including time management issues as hand scaling takes a long time, painful experience for an older patient who needs enhanced therapy, special needs patients who allow limited working time, and musculoskeletal problems for the dental hygienist.
Proposed Solution: This proposal offers a realistic and effective plan for the implementation of ultrasonic water scaling in conjunction with hand scaling to reduce the above-described inefficiencies. We will first identify the burden of hand scaling only by staff dentists and dental hygienists, ways to improve the patient experience, make the hygiene recare system efficient to generate more profit, and resolve time management issues so the schedule stays on time.
Scope: To assess the feasibility of implementing ultrasonic water scaling in conjunction with hand scaling, I plan to pursue seven areas of inquiry:
- What are the benefits of ultrasonic water scaling to the patient and dental hygienist?
- What are the benefits and constraints to office management?
- What is the cost of an ultrasonic water scaler?
- Will there be an added cost to maintain an ultrasonic scaler?
- What are the different types of ultrasonic scalers available in the market?
- Does the staff need additional training to use ultrasonic water scaler?
- Can ultrasonic scaler make dental hygiene visits more efficient and profitable?
- When will the Ultrasonic scaler pay for itself?
Methods: My primary data sources will include surveys of practicing dental hygienists and interviews of the ABC’s staff dental hygienists and dentists. My secondary sources will be a literature review of the use of ultrasonic water scaler Vs hand scaling.
My Qualifications: I am a practicing registered dental hygienist with a decade of experience. I have worked in multiple pediatric practices and have used several techniques to clean patients’ teeth. Currently, I am enrolled in a Bachelor of Dental Science and have recently completed an advanced Periodontal health program which specifies various techniques for cleaning teeth and rigorous research behind them. Further, I have attended various continuing education programs on the instrumentation aspect of dental hygiene. My association with various dental practices allows me to do an in-depth feasibility study.
Conclusion: The action is needed to reduce the inefficiencies currently present among the staff of ABC dental practice. By addressing the seven areas of inquiries presented earlier, I can determine the feasibility of implementing ultrasonic water scaling in conjunction with hand scaling to enhance providers’ efficiency and patient comfort. With your approval, I will begin the research at once.
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