20-seconds in Dentistry that Doesn’t Come with Training…But Should!
20-seconds is not a lot of time, but in restorative dentistry, that quick burst of blue from your curing light is 20 seconds that can make the difference between a fabulous or failed filling. It’s just as important as learning how to properly freeze a nerve or drill a tooth, yet there’s little to no focus on it.
Given that dentists spend approximately 60% of their day on restorations(1), and 50% of their income is related to light-curing(2), it’s a pretty critical component of a dental practice, so it’s a wonder why the majority of light users never receive training on how to cure properly.
In light-cured restorative procedures, there are elaborate descriptions of multi-step techniques for material manipulation and correct placement but rarely anything that educates the user on proper curing techniques. It’s often the case that, at this most critical phase of a procedure, most curing light operators (who are almost always dental assistants) are instructed to “wait for the beep.” But there’s so much more to it. It’s why we’re so passionate about educating dental students, dentists and dental assistants on proper curing techniques.
It’s not as simple as aiming the curing light at the tooth, turning it on, and then looking away while you await the beep. When a curing light is working properly and used correctly, you can significantly improve the amount of energy delivered to the restoration(3).
In many dental schools around the globe, there is a lack of attention and time dedicated to the proper light-curing techniques necessary to accurately administer the required duration and intensity of light(4), which may negatively impact the quality of the restoration. Many studies using our MARC Patient Simulator showed that:
Most dental students, at all levels, were not able to deliver the required amount of energy to properly cure a resin composite.
In one study, only 5% of students delivered the minimum recommended energy to cure a 2mm layer of resin composite. (5,6)
Additionally, 50% of the dentists we studied did not deliver enough energy to properly cure the resin composite(7)
That’s why Bluelight’s Education Solutions extend from the classroom to the clinic. Our training covers everything from eye protection and proper placement to output levels and the importance of light testing. If your dental school is interested in adding light-curing education to your program, or your
DSO wants to ensure the best patient outcomes across all your clinics, we’re here to help! Contact us today to find out more about our products and why we're the worldwide leader in dental composite curing.
References
1. Kopperud, S. E., et al. "Light curing procedures–performance, knowledge level and safety awareness among dentists." Journal of dentistry 58 (2017): 67-73.
2. 2014 dental fees survey of 1236 dentists nationally in the USA, ADA
3. Rueggeberg, Frederick Allen, et al. "Light curing in dentistry and clinical implications: a literature review." Brazilian oral research 31 (2017).
4. Shortall, A. C., et al. "Guidelines for the selection, use, and maintenance of LED light-curing units-Part 1." British Dental Journal 221.8 (2016): 453-460.
5. Federlin, Marianne, et al. "Improving light‐curing instruction in dental school." Journal of Dental Education 77.6 (2013): 764-772.
6. Anusavice, K. J., C. Shen, and H. R. Rawls. "Phillps' science of dental materials 12th ed St." Louis: Saunders 100.7 (2013): 483-90.
7. Price, Richard B., et al. "The effectiveness of using a patient simulator to teach light-curing skills." The Journal of the American Dental Association 145.1 (2014): 32-43