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White elephant or magic practice builder?
Dr André Hedger discusses The Wand, an advanced technology local anaesthesia system delivered through an ultra lightweight ‘pencil-like’ handpiece producing pain-free injections and faster onset of numbness
How did you first hear about The Wand? Dr André Hedger (AH) – Several years ago, I read about this system in the dental press after its launch in the USA.
So what convinced you to investigate it further? AH – It was being marketed in the UK by Dental Practice Systems and I knew from previous experience that this company had a track record of never having a “white elephant” in its product portfolio.
How did that trial week go? AH – Well, I didn’t give it back! In fact, I purchased it and subsequently purchased two more Wands for my associate and my hygienist.
One of the benefits of The Wand is that it delivers local anaesthetic without pain to the patient. Were you conscious of the fact that, despite your skill and care, many of your patients experienced some pain and discomfort during local anaesthesia with a traditional syringe? AH – That’s a difficult question. Like most of my professional colleagues, I have pride in the clinical skills I have developed and have always put patient comfort first. I would maintain that I always injected as painlessly as possible. But, if I am honest, and all dentists will recognise this, you are always aware of the effect of your actions when the patient flinches, grimaces or winces in discomfort. So yes, I think the majority of local anaesthetic given by dentists is uncomfortable even if they have used a topical anaesthetic and delivered the local as slowly as possible.
The traditional syringe has not changed in design since it was introduced 150 years ago. Is it the design that’s at fault and not so much the dentists’ technique? AH – That’s probably correct. The normal metal syringe, fully loaded, is about nine inches long and looks quite barbaric. The issues for the dentist are that it’s heavy – so keeping it steady can be difficult – you have no real control over the hydraulic pressure of the delivery of the liquid and the ultra-fine needles used today just increase that pressure. Several studies have shown that the anaesthetic can be delivered up to 2cm past the target because the hydraulic pressure has ripped it through the tissue. That’s why it sometimes takes so long to numb, as the anaesthetic is nowhere near to the target.
Can you contrast that with The Wand? AH – Firstly, the patient’s fear is dramati- cally reduced because The Wand is like a thin, transparent pencil. It looks modern and is totally non-threatening. You can hold it like a pen which enables the dentist to hold it very, very steady.
So is the onset of numbness faster with The Wand? AH – Yes. Although the amount of time taken to finish the injection is slightly longer than with the conventional technique, the patient is always numb and ready for treat- ment. So you can start work immediately.
Does using The Wand demand a learning curve? AH – It is pretty simple and intuitive – the instructional DVD and materials are very good. But I would say it only takes four or five days to be fully conversant with
the slight changes in technique. When I purchased our second and third wand units for my associate and hygienist, I gave them one week for familiarisation before I removed all syringes from the practice. So there’s no sneaking back “to the bad old days”!
How have your patients reacted to The Wand? AH – I explain that we have a new system and that it is called The Magic Wand… because to dentists and patients, it is magic. I tell them it numbs in a completely different way and I just get on with the procedure. I found that for the first time patients were
not flinching, their eyes weren’t flickering and their knuckles weren’t white. Typical comments were: “I didn’t feel a needle”, “Did you give me a needle?”, “How come you’ve numbed me and I haven’t had an injection?” Then they went home and told all their friends and family that they’ve been to a dental practice where they numb you without an injection.
So is The Wand a practice building tool? AH – It is a magic practice builder. I just think it is staying in the dark ages to continue with the conventional syringe when this technology is available to help you move forward. The Wand has had a tremendously
positive effect on our practice… just ask all our grateful patients.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr André Hedger opened his practice in Surrey in 1981. He is a Fellow of the Hypno- therapy Society and a founder member of the British Society for the Study of Cranioman- dibular Disorders. André is also a member of the British Orthodontic Society (BOS) and the International Association for Orthodontics (IAO). He is a member of the British Society for Clinical and Applied Hypnosis (BSCAH), The American Academy of Craniofacial Pain (AACP), The International Academy of Medi- cine and Toxicology (IOAMT) and Patients Against Mercury Amalgams (PAMA). He is a member of the British Society for Dental Sleep Medicine (BSDSM) as well as several other specialist groups.
Ireland’s Dental magazine 45
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