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and ENDORSEMENT LETTERS |
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and ENDORSEMENT LETTERS |
| Columbia University in the City of New York | New York, N.Y. 10032 SCHOOL OF DENTAL AND ORAL SURGERY 630 West 168th Street
Mr. Jim Wells Dear Mr. Wells: I enjoyed our phone call the other day, recognizing that, with a relatively short experience in this highly specialized field, you have managed to master the essentials. The curriculum vitae is attached. On a personal basis, (your having asked for some background and an idea of my approach to fourhanded seated dental operations) I thought some dental biography might be in order. I came to dentistry some 10 years later than my classmates due to involvement in three assorted wars. It was a struggle to re-enter academe but the rewards came with the advent of clinical practice. In 1956, New York University College of Dentistry provided no facility for seated operations and I was driven to steal laboratory chairs (more like bar stools) and smuggle them into the clinic. I was six feet tall and weighed about 136 pounds soaking wet, which did not leave a huge energy reservoir. There were no DAU programs at that time and upon graduation I joined my father in a newly relocated practice which he moved from Ballston Spa (near Saratoga) to Monsey, New York. I was able to persuade him to invest in a Swvlstool Unit, (a mobile dynamic instruments cum suction unit designed for rear delivery) and the Swvlstool dentist and dental assistant stools. If you remember, they were two stools cantilevered off the base of the chair and allowed each to be seated, straddling the support arm. Eventually, this was the cause of an osteomyelitis on the frontal aspect of my leg, but meanwhile it allowed me to sit, which was a blessing. The overall picture is, however, more important to recognize. Fourhanded sit-down dentistry of the late 1960's and early 70's was but a part of the overall pattern of modern practice management. While it functioned, basically, to open the bottleneck of dental chairside service in terms of time, without the practice management principles and techniques that allowed for rapid and effective flow of patients from entree to, and dismissal from, the practice as completed cases and recall, fourhanded dentistry would have only moved the log jam in patient processing. For this reason, very early on at Columbia, I continuously enlarged the practice management didactic program from the six or so hours attached almost by necessity to the DUA program (and only in the fourth year) to a total of 49 hours by 1973. At that time, students were receiving 37 hours of chairside assisted experience, all in the third year. The change from fourth to third year clinical DUA was necessary to avoid spending an inordinate amount of time breaking poor habits acquired in the third year so that the fourth year could be productive. The DUA program at Columbia was under constant curricular change and responded to student needs as I was able to understand and anticipate them. I was also, at that time, the Director of the T.E.A.M. program, operating without Federal grant funds and utilized our DUA-trained assistants and the expanded duty auxiliaries, achieving a 300% increase in elective T.E.A.M. student productivity compared to the other fourth year students. Just about the time that the T.E.A.M. program here was funded (it lasted two more years) I designed the clinical, dental laboratory and administrative spaces in the 7 1/2 million-dollar renovation of the School. My father discarded, in 1926, the equipment then current at Columbia (and I have the slides to show it!). The design still works today. I was then appointed Clinic Administrator and, for three consecutive years, produced a 20% increase in clinic income in each of those years. Throughout these years I have presented, with my own nd with the other institutions' auxiliaries, continuing education courses in fourhanded sitdown dentistry in schools, hospitals, and societies, both here and abroad. The slow demise of the DUA programs, at our School and others, has left a gaping hole in the students' clinical education. It comes at a particularly inopportune time, since it is at this specific juncture in the profession that efficiency and excellence of care have become essential for the economic survival of the dentist. The national fiscal situations are not improving and may well deteriorate further. Students are faced with increasingly large debts as tuition rises, increasingly large start-up budgets for beginning practices, and in all cases increasing overhead. The need to maintain physical health through the stress of dental practice, especially for the young men and women raising families, has never been greater. The concepts of fourhanded dentistry, in and of themselves, embody the principles of effective management - organization, preplanning, utilization of personnel, time, space and facilities - are all part of the system we call dental service delivery. And that is how I have presented it to students at Columbia. It is difficult, with words alone, to describe efforts or ideas, and I would like to show you some of the things I've done in this field. If you plan to be in the area, please call and arrange to spend a few hours with me. (I've lived in Augusta, Georgia long enough in the early 50's to be able to assure you that this is not a "y'all come on down" invitation! - I mean it.) Please remember to give my regards to Glen Robinson and Ed DcDevitt. They were there to help when I first embarked on the aspect of my teaching career in the early 1970's. I did not intend this to be a tome but that's what happens when you are interested. Cordially,
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Herbert H. Portnoff D.D.S., F.A.A.P.
Health Science Products, Inc. Dear HSP: I thought I would let you know my thoughts on the HSP dental unit. Not only is it well engineered and constructed, but the left front delivery that HSP has designed affords the operator, I believe, with the most efficient four handed dentistry system available today. It also has the flexibility needed when working alone. I have been using a major manufacturer's left front delivery system in my office for the past year and it works well, but it is not as efficient as I would like it to be. For example it does not provide easy access to the assistant for hand pieces and suction etc. A secondary arm for suction is placed onto the light post to compensate for this, but it is not the same. I was introduced to HSP when I took a four handed dentistry course at the University of Alabama many years ago. The concepts that I had learned have greatly influenced the way that I provide chairside treatment for my patients. Until I visited your booth at the Greater New York meeting in December, I was unaware that your units were still available. Be assured when my units need to be replaced, I will get in touch with you. Sincerely,
1656 Oak Tree Road : Edison, New Jersey 08820-3964 |
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Stephen R. Stricklin, D.M.D.
Health Science Products, Inc. 1000 11th Court West Birmingham, Alabama 35204 Dear Health Science Products: I first utilized HSP equipment and the concept of four handed dentistry at the University of Alabama School of Dentistry. Following graduation, I entered the military to fulfill scholarship requirements. During my four years of military service, I had the opportunity to use and evaluate almost every dental manufacturer's equipment. By the time I entered private practice, I was a confirmed believer in the efficiency and ease of use of the HSP system. I recently traded in my twelve year old HSP Liberty II units for four new Liberty III units. My experience in dealing with HSP personnel was exceptional. HSP did exactly what they said they would do -- and more. I received my units two weeks earlier than expected. The installation was professional and thorough. Jim Wells called to insure that I was satisfied with the equipment and installation, and my sales representative made the sales and installation a very smooth process. I can sincerely state that my experience with my HSP purchase exceeded my expectations. I would not hesitate in recommending HSP to anyone looking to increase efficiency, decrease stress, and increase income. Please feel free to have anyone interested in HSP equipment call me at any time. Sincerely,
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NICHOLAS J. BORRELLO, D.D.S., F.A.G.D. 76 Stony Hill Road
Health Science Products, Inc. Dear Sirs: I have been using H.S.P. units in my practice since the early eighties. I am quite pleased with their performance. The concept of over the patient delivery is one I have adopted from the inception of my practice in 1968 and I would be lost without it. H.S.P. definitely makes a good product. Sincerely,
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Dr. Joe Chris Freeman
Dear HSP, Greetings from an old Client! I purchased three of your units in 1986. They've been great for 12 years. No problems at all. I recently had the light (on the fibre optic unit) and the fan motor go out. The place (in Florida) my serviceman sent it to be repaired said you had gone out of business (which was false). My repairman (then) tracked you down, (sent it to HSP) and the part was repaired hastily and returned quickly. Thanks for years of service and the quick repair when needed. Warmest Personal Regards,
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ANDREW F. SERIO, D.D.S.
Health Science Products, Inc.
Dear HSP: Just a note to advise that the mobile cabinet (door prize) has arrived in excellent condition. Your company is most generous in the type of gifts given, and I am very appreciative. I do want to take this opportunity to thank the entire staff of your organization for the hospitality and courtesies shown my wife and myself at your open house. I appreciate the time spent by Mr. Jim Wells showing me and answering my questions about the equipment you manufacture, and to guide me in the type of equipment I will need. I am to meet with the young dentist I plan to associated with during this coming week, and formulate plans to get started. I will contact your office as soon as we decide, and make arrangements for myself or both of us to come there. I realize that the prices you quoted on the equipment were special for the open house, and may not be in effect for very long. I will try to move our plans as quickly as we can. Again, many thanks for your true 'southern hospitality' exhibited in all your dealings, and by all your personnel. Sincerely,
203 Danville Court Huntsville, Alabama 35802
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UCSF School of Dentistry Mr. J. Wells Dear Mr. Wells, The HSP program commitment to training in the 4-handed and auxiliary programs is exciting. In fact, now as never before, these skills are needed to be provided in dentistry. With the changes in dental education over the past decade and loss of federal grant support for DAU programs, there are thousands of dentists who have graduated with less than adequate auxiliary utilization skills. In addition, dentists all over this nation are continuing to experience difficulties in finding dental assistants with proper training. It is refreshing to see a private company such as HSP with the vision to develop Learning Centers and educational support programs to meet these needs. Doni Wingate Bird and I are very interested in becoming involved as permanent members of the Advisory Board. We look forward to working with the other esteemed members particularly in the area of assisting education. Enclosed is my curriculum vitae for your review. If you are planning on including it in your publications, it can certainly be modified. Doni is in the last semester of her masters degree program in Educational Technology at San Francisco State University and is updating her C.V. We will forward hers at a future date. We are looking forward to working with you and being a part of an aggressive and enthusiastic program for educating auxiliaries and dentists. Sincerely, |
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CASE WESTERN RESERVE UNIVERSITY : CLEVELAND, OHIO 44106
Mr. Jim Wells, President Dear Mr. Wells, Thank you for sharing your continuing education ideas with me. Dental Continuing Education has been as area close to my heart during my entire professional career. I have experienced continuing dental education as a participant, a lecturer and director of CE programs. For a very long time there has been an acute need in our profession to train people in proper four-handed dentistry and chairside assistant utilization. In the hectic day to day world of dental practice, there just isn't the time to take off for extended courses. There is a great need for short, concise participation workshops for the dentist and his/her assistant. I heartily endorse your concept of the Dental Learning Center to fill that need. It seems that you have identified capable people to teach these concepts of true four handed dentistry. I realize that the learning centers will feature your equipment. I see nothing wrong with this. You manufacture a fine product which certainly lends itself beautifully to work simplification in the dental office. The dental profession has benefited as well as the entire population from well intentioned commercial interests. I am gratified that you personally have expressed an interest and commitment to do all you can to make the dental environment a better place to work. I have presented two workshops in both treatment planning and fixed Prosthodontics in restorative dentistry. I have enclosed brief outlines of both those courses. Should these courses have some use to you in your weekend seminars format, I shall be happy to discuss this with you. The best of luck to you in this fine endeavor! Sincerely,
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The University of Texas
Dental School (512) 567-3410
Mr. Jim Wells Dear Jim: Dr. Hardage and I presented your offer and our request to update the DAU equipment to Dr. Billy Rigsby, our Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs. Even though your price is fair and our need to replace the dental units is present, the dental school budget will not allow us to take any action at this time. There is a long line of requests ahead of ours that are deemed more urgent by the administration. I really like the instrument tray and really wish that this item had been here before the decision was made to go with the Hu-friedy IMS trays. I have loaned the tray to the chairman of the instrument committee for evaluation and possible selection as a replacement tray when the plastic ones deteriorate. I will make sure that we get it back to you. Thanks for your efforts so far. I have witnessed some surprise funding packages in the years past, so I would like to keep the doors open for future negotiations. The Texas picture looks rather bleak at present. Sincerely,
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UMD
110 Bergen Street
Mr. Jim Wells, President and CEO Dear Mr. Wells: I am writing regarding a recent letter sent to you by a colleague of mine, Dr. John Wisniewski. Presently, I am a faculty member at the University of Medicine and Dentistry in New Jersey. My responsibilities include Dental Auxiliary Utilization and Four Handed Dentistry. Currently, I am in the process of revamping and updating our DAU program and would appreciate your assistance in locating audio-visual aids demonstrating the four handed technique that comply with OSHA requirements. Specific emphasis on equipment selection and facility design are of prime concern. In addition, I am planning a continuing education program this fall and will be presenting a table clinic at the ADA meeting in November. Both presentations will focus on four handed dentistry and its application into the 21 century. Any pertinent material you may deem informative in these formats would be greatly appreciated. I have been an advocate of the four handed technique for many years and served as Chair of the Dental Auxiliary Utilization Department at Fairleigh Dickinson University. I am enclosing my curriculum vitae for your files. Thank you for your cooperation. Sincerely Yours,
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DONALD B. BENTON, D.D.S., P.A.
Mr. Jimmy Wells Dear Mr. Wells, The practice of General Dentistry is increasingly complex as you are aware. It turned into a nightmare when our eighteen year old compressor began blowing out small amounts of oil. We searched and die research as well as we could realizing the critical importance of our air supply. We chose your Gehlen Dual Head with refrigerant dryer and filter to meet our needs. Since installation was completed we have had no "oil blow" problems. The unit delivers clean, dry, oil-free air continuously which means that we are confident that our services are rendered under the best compressed air conditions possible. Thank you for an excellent air supply to our growing practice. Sincerely,
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ALLEN W. KESSLER, D.M.D. 316 VALLEY ROAD | FAIRFIELD, ALABAMA 35064 (205) 780-7365
Health Science Products, Inc. Dear H.S.P., I want to thank you for the fine job you did converting my old mobile cabinet top to the new style. The old one with plastic runners was not very durable, but the new one looks great. It slides easy and stays where you stop it. The person that did the installation was very efficient. It took only ten minutes to install. Thank you again for the upgrade. Sincerely,
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