Case Study published in February 2013 issue of PPD Magazine Adam Randall is the managing director of Gentle Dental UK Ltd, a practice in Newquay, Cornwall, which he has owned since 1993. He qualified in Birmingham in 1990 and has a special interest in periodontology and helping nervous patients. His mission at the practice is to make visiting the dentist an experience to be enjoyed. The Injex30 system for Dental application is a stainless steel device for delivery of anaesthetic from sterile disposable 0.3ml ampoules and sterile disposable silicone cushioning caps though a micro nozzle in the ampoule into the gum at a consistent pressure by means of an integrated spring. Injex 30 is a reusable injector system that incorporates a sterile single-use disposable ampoule that holds the drug dose. Further details at: http://www.injexuk.com/

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technology
IN FOCUS
injex - the gentle way
Adam Randall, managing director of practice Gentle Dental, talks
about his experience of using the needle-free, local anaesthetic Injex
A
s a practice, Gentle Dental is very be of help not just for those patients who before starting treatment, explaining exactly
focused on providing the best patient come to the practice with a real fear of needles what is going to happen and when, and this
experience possible. As part of that, we and injections, but for anyone who would includes telling patients about the click that they
offer a range of patient-calming treatments appreciate their dental treatment being as will hear from the trigger, which is something
such as hypnosis, aromatherapy and massage, comfortable as possible. that can be unsettling if you aren’t ready for it.
as well as inhalable and intravenous sedation. I’ve been offering Injex to patients for a Once patients have experienced Injex a
I have a particular interest in helping nervous few years now, and I use it for a wide range of few times, the whole process becomes much
patients, and I’m always looking out for new treatments, including awkward extractions, more natural to them, and they’re also more
dental technologies that will help improve though not yet for any impacted wisdom teeth. confident because they know it works.
service to patients. I also tend not to use Injex on children, because
I’m using other methods like neuro-linguistic Injex in use
Providing comfort programming as a way to distract them. From a personal perspective, I enjoy using
When I first came across Injex, I saw it as Injex isn’t something that I have ever had to Injex, it feels light and balanced in the hand
another potentially important tool that could ‘sell’ to my patients - it’s just something that I and I haven’t had to change my ‘injection’
present as a possible choice, and one that many technique, so there’s no having to think when
seem to be naturally drawn to as I describe I go back to using a needle. I inject to the apex
what it’s all about, and the benefits of using it in of the tooth, though I generally use Injex for
comparison with other options. short bursts of treatment on just one or two
Even though there’s a premium of £20 for teeth at a time, and local anaesthetic for when
its use, Injex has been very well received, with I’m doing a lot of work and want to have a
most patients choosing it again when they need broader effect.
further treatment. I’d say that there are probably There is a bit of a learning curve to using
only about 5% of patients who, for one reason Injex, though not a steep one. However, given
or another, choose to go back to traditional the natural instinct of dentists not wanting
injectable anaesthetic; perhaps because it’s a to hurt their patients, some have stayed with
different sensation that they just aren’t used to. traditional local anaesthetic rather than run
the risk of experimenting and causing any
Preparing patients discomfort during the learning process.
Before the first treatment with Injex, I Injex is now very much part of my toolbox,
probably do have to spend a little more something that I have confidence in, and which
time managing the expectations of my I continue to use on a daily basis when it’s the
patients than I would when using standard most appropriate treatment for my patients.
local anaesthetic, especially as they are
Adam Randall is the managing director of Gentle often the more nervous patients anyway.
Dental UK Ltd, a practice in Newquay, Cornwall, One of the issues that does come up from
which he has owned since 1993. He qualified in time to time is that, without the feeling For further information about Injex, please call
Birmingham in 1990 and has a special interest of widespread numbness in the gum that 0845 116 8900 or visit www.injexuk.com
in periodontology and helping nervous patients. they would normally expect, some patients
His mission at the practice is to make visiting the aren’t convinced that the gum is sufficiently
dentist an experience to be enjoyed. anaesthetised, so they think they are going to To ask a question or comment on this article please send
www.gentledental.co.uk feel something when actually they won’t. an email to: PPD@fmc.co.uk
I make sure that I run through the procedure ppd
PPD February 2013 97