Incorporating a skilled laboratory assistant in a cosmetic/restorative dental practice yields a multitude of benefits. Reducing the workload of the practioner, enables the dentist to spend more time chair side, thus improving productivity. It also standardizes the lab process, improving quality. This course is a detailed step-by-step description of each duty a laboratory assistant will perform. After completion, the lab assistant will be exposed to necessary tasks, and will have the basic information to apply those tasks in the restorative practice. > course description

8 hours
Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.

The Dentist-Technician Relationship

Clinical success, consistency and predictability requires a collaborative effort between the dentist and technician. This seminar investigates the factors that allow a relationship between the dentist and technician to result in extrordinary and predictable results. From scheduling a case, to the clinical components of aesthetics, occlusion and preparation design, to the technical parameters of restoration fabrication, to developing a relationship of mutual understanding and expectations– these factors involving mutual success are presented. This course is highly beneficial for the dentist-technician-laboratory assistant team. > course description

8 hours
Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.
Jeff Singler, C.D.T.

Aesthetics in Everyday Practice

What constitutes an aesthetic smile? Is it natural beauty or dazzling white teeth? Aesthetics is an interplay of reality and perception. To understand the components of an aesthetic smile, it is critical to understand the perception of what is visible. This course describes a sequence of analysis and the principles to create an aesthetic smile. Applying these principles allows the clinician to create a perceived form that is both natural and functional. How these parameters of aesthetics affect clinical diagnosis, occlusion, preparation design, indications, types of restorations and communication to the laboratory technician will be discussed.
> course description

8 hours
Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.

Occlusion in Everyday Practice

Can we determine or correlate a cause and affect that occlusion may play on restorative failure or success? Understanding and managing fundamental occlusal concepts are a key to predictability. This presentation will review the importance of restoring dentition to proven occlusal concepts and how to use these concepts to improve the end product. This course reviews practical concepts of a physiological occlusion, compares centric relation to myocentric, evaluates vertical dimension and the effects of altering VDO, gives insight into the envelope of function, and how occlusion affects joint loading, muscle activity and force. Different bite patterns will be reviewed and a diagnosis made to treatment alternatives to improve the aesthetic and functional outcome. Methods to communicate this desired outcome to the laboratory technician while ensuring the fabrication of restorations that correlate to the desired end product will be discussed. > course description

8 hours
Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.

Transcending Your Practice

While every practitioner has a different view of what constitutes the "practice of their dreams". The fact remains that it is a balance of practice management, clinical skills, and a purposed team that combines to create this dream. This course offers insight into ways to blend these factors and highlighting key practice management tools using five steps to "Transcend Your Practice". This motivating yet practical information will inspire the entire team. We will address the importance of a shared vision, purpose and philosophy and give insight into how this commitment can improve the relationship between staff and patient. This information will also allow personal and practice growth to be elevated to new heights. > course description

8 hours
Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.
Mr. Kirk Berhandt

Hands-on Training

A variety of hands-on courses are offered. These include:

          Hands-On I

Doctors and/or staff receive training in Dr. Fling's office with exposure to all of the details and methods utilized by his laboratory assistant. This develops insight into provisional restoration and splint fabrication, study model construction and pindex model construction and articulation. This is an excellent adjunct to the "Developing the Laboratory Assistant" course. > course description

8 hours In Oklahoma City
Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.

          Hands-On II

Provisional restoration and splint fabrication conducted at your study club, dental practice or meeting place.> course description

Presented by Michael C. Fling, D.D.S.

Power of PowerPoint

The use of PowerPoint in presentations can dramatically improve the educational experience of the audience. In this hands-on workshop, you will learn step-by-step how to create dramatic presentations that can be informative for patient consultations or stimulating educational lectures. > course description

8 hours
Presented by Dr. Michael Fling, D.D.S.

Providing Dental Care with Aesthetic Priority, Architectural and Biologic Integrity

This presentation demonstrates the need to blend what "looks good" with functional and biologic considerations. Reviewing a treatment sequence that begins with the patient's aesthetic demands, techniques are reviewed that help determine what is aesthetically practical. Then, consideration is given as to how aesthetic priority can and should coincide with occlusal and biological integrity, as resultant occlusion and bite patterns play a direct role in restorative predictability. Practical clinical solutions will be given for different occlusal dilemmas along with optimum treatment sequence. Finally, discussion will be given to keys that create relationships in which the patients value a higher level of care, rather than "drill and fill" dentistry, so that they even ask for optimum dental care. >course description

4 to 8 hours
Presented by Dr. Michael Fling, D.D.S.

The Complexity of Simplicity

Why is it that many athletes make their sport look so simple? How does a race car driver make his sport look so fluid and unrehearsed? How do they make the complex seem so simple? In today's marketplace, the clinician is saturated with potential options and restorative choices. Our goal is to provide the best treatment in the most efficient time with the greatest ease. Which material, bonded or cemented? What looks the best and lasts the longest? What will be the best yet the simplest? What can we do to improve the predictability with our laboratory technician? This presentation evaluates how to incorporate fundamental concepts into everyday practice making the complex more predictable. Most importantly, this presentation discusses the incorporation of both the philosophical and technical aspects of dentistry that help make the complex more simple. While a review of restorative concepts will be discussed, more importantly an introduction to the philosophy of knowing yourself, knowing your patient, knowing your work and applying your knowledge is examined. >course description

4 to 8 hours
Presented by Dr. Michael Fling, D.D.S.

Outside/Inside- Applying Occlusion to Your Everyday Practice

Occlusal concepts have historically been restored or treated to work within an ”envelope of function or motion”. Remember, when we chew, teeth actually don’t touch but they do get ever so close. Given that fact, it isn’t during the chewing stroke or envelope of function that teeth or restorations fail. Instead, it is when we extend teeth beyond into the envelope of parafunction that destruction occurs. If we can restore or treat teeth within this envelope of parafunction, we stand a better chance of success. This presentation introduces the “Outside/Inside” evaluation. This refers to seven specific steps that must be considered when developing any treatment plan. These steps reinforce the idea that form follows function and that one aspect cannot be altered without affecting the other and better assures that the restored or treated teeth are completed within the envelope of parafunction. The clinician will be clear on each factor that must be considered within an appropriate treatment sequence. Understanding the ramifications of various parafunctional bite patterns such as “Cows” and “Gators” will give insight into restorative predictability. >course description

Power of Microsoft PowerPoint and Adobe PhotoShop

The following is a table of contents for the manual given to participants when taking the “The Power of PowerPoint and Photoshop” course: >course description

Developing the Ultimate Dental/Lab Assistant (In Office training) ACT I

Provide In Office Training that will propel your assistant to new levels. You and your assistant will receive training at the office of Dr. Michael Fling with his lab assistant, where you will experience 2 dynamic days of training. In Act I, you will learn a step by step process for taking intraoral and clinical photographs. Then you will be exposed to downloading digital photos along with developing patient albums for consultation purposes using PowerPoint 2007. Techniques for taking diagnostic study casts, taking facebows and protrusive records, and techniques for mounting and finishing immaculate study casts will be described and completed by the participants. The “New Patient Experience” will be reviewed and how study models and photographs are used to convey information to the patient will be conveyed. Techniques for fabricating stints for bis-acrylic overlays will be conducted. These overlays are used clinically at the consultation appointment to allow the patient “to see” what the final outcome would look like before treatment is ever done. This technique is completed by each participant. A composite overlay is also fabricated by each attendee that illustrates clinically how alterations in free gingival margin height through crown lengthening would appear. This overlay is then used as a guide for the surgeon when surgery is performed. >course description

Developing the Ultimate Dental/Lab Assistant Act II

Continue to Provide In Office Training that will propel your assistant to new levels. You and your assistant will receive training at the office of Dr. Michael Fling with his lab assistant, where you will experience 2 dynamic days of training. In Act II, you will learn a step by step process and fabricate indirect acrylic provisional restorations, along with a sequence for polishing that gives acrylic a life-like finish. You will learn and perform techniques for fabricating direct bis-acrylic provisional restorations. You will also learn how to create perfect margins on implant retained restorations that can be altered for customizing emergence profiles. Exposure to digital impressions using the I-Tero system will also be demonstrated. Discussion will include how utilizing a lab assistant for standardization will reduce Dr. workload, improve quality and improve practice profitability. >course description

Utilizing Digital Impressions

It has been suggested that “the future of dentistry will be such that someday we will no longer take impressions. Instead, we will take images”. To a large degree, the future is here! The use of digital impressions is “Evolutionizing” the standardization, the quality and the predictability of restorative dentistry. This presentation looks at the protocol for utilization of the i-Tero digital Impression machine by Cadent, demonstrates the protocol for use, and conveys the final model fabrication and articulation of cases. We also explore how and when to also use facebows, bite registrations, cross mounted models and non standard articulation on digitally scanned cases. Cost of scanning, affects to lab expense, preparation design for scanning, retraction techniques for scanning, and the benefits and negatives of use will all be discussed. >course description

Improved Predictability with Advanced Aesthetics

Clinical success can be defined by achieving a result that is aesthetic, functional and predictable. Today’s demand for such a high level of aesthetics and predictability require a collaborative effort between the dentist and technician. This seminar investigates the factors that allow a relationship between the dentist and technician to result in extraordinary and predictable results. Historically, restorations have been fabricated to work within an “envelope of function”. Remember, when we chew, teeth actually don’t touch. Given that fact, it isn’t during the envelope of function that teeth or restorations fail. Instead, it is when we extend beyond and into the “Envelope of Parafunction” that destruction occurs. If we can create restorations that exist within this envelope of parafunction, we have better opportunity for success. This presentation introduces the “Outside/Inside” evaluation. This refers to seven specific steps that must be considered when developing any treatment plan. Following these steps result in restorations that are aesthetic and functional while improving predictability. Other factors that contribute to consistency and predictable restorations will be discussed. >course description

Fusion Series

You will be exposed to these important factors:

Compelling Clarity
- How to Create the Clarity in Your Life and Practice that Gives You Power
- Clinical tools that create clarity for your patients to decide
- 5 Questions every dentist should ask about their money

Systems – ….the power of automation allows you to focus on what is important…the patient relationship >course description

The New Patient Experience

“Quit telling patients and start showing them” was the premise behind a complete overhaul of how new patients enter our practice. This seminar looks closely at all the parameters that make this a special experience. From the initial contact with our office, to the protocols of the entire examination process to the final consultation, this seminar examines the step by step process that creates a meaningful new patient experience.

The phone interview
What is in the mailed notebook?
Utilizing your website
Systems/Systems/Systems
Office protocol
The greeting
The elegant handoffs
The pre-clinical/pre-clinical interview
Utilizing digital photography
Diagnostic study models
Utilizing PowerPoint and XCPT
The consultation