S. Kirk Huffaker, DMD, MDS
Private Practice
GlenFalls, New York, USA
11:40 a.m.
Saturday, July 1, 2017
International Academy of Endodontics, Annual Meeting
The Scottsdale Princess
Scottsdale, Arizona, USA
“Making the Restorative Transition: Biting the Hand that Feeds You?"
Placing the permanent core buildup under the dental operating microscope immediately following obturation is in the best interest of our patients. When it is done correctly, it can help increase successful long-term outcomes by essentially eliminating failures due to iatrogenic mishaps or lack of follow through. However, completing the permanent endo-restorative phase of root canal treatment is not a regular practice for most endodontists. It can be met with anger, frustration, and the threat of losing referrals from the dental community. This presentation will discuss some strategies that can be implemented to mitigate these undesirable interactions and continue a healthy referral relationship.
Topics:
- The importance of sending the patient back with a perfectly executed endo-restorative outcome.
- Making sure that you understand what the wants and needs of the referring doctor are from an endo-restorative standpoint.
- How to effectively communicate and educate your referral base so that they understand why you have a desire to permanently restore 100% of the access cavities you create and how this helps them.
- How to identify certain offices and doctors that may welcome working with an endodontist who permanently restores all of their access cavities.
Attendees will Learn:
- Identify areas for improvement in the endo-restorative aspect of their practice.
- Recognize why it is important to understand the needs and wants of the referring doctor when choosing how to restore an access cavity.
- Determine which doctors in their surrounding area may welcome working with a restoratively driven endodontist and develop a plan to educate them accordingly.
Kirk Huffaker is a graduate of Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine and completed a three-year endodontic residency at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He is the owner of Mountain View Endodontics in Glens Falls, NY where he runs a solo practice. He has been married 16 years and has six children, 4 boys and 2 girls. He enjoys playing music with his family, camping, and eating tacos wherever they can be found.