Personalized Lunch & Learns

Last week we had the opportunity to go into a doctor's office over the lunch hour to present a Lunch & Learn.  The office had called us up, looking to see if we had a Shade Taking CE Course planned for the future.  They had a new assistant that started in their office, who was unfamiliar with the 3D Shade Guide. Instead of waiting for a course, Dr. Benson, Kris, and Randi picked up some Jimmy Johns and stopped in over their lunch hour, to work with them directly in their own environment.  The main focus was to teach the new assistant how to use the Vita 3D Shade guide.  Dr. Benson has the unique experience of working as a dentist for many years,  and then working as a consultant in the laboratory. He is able to see and understand all the complications that go into each case, including what a Doctor/Assistant might see, and how the technician may interpret that.  Kris is the Ceramics Manager, and works with the shades and shade guides daily.   The two of them are a great resource available to dental offices, and it was an excellent opportunity to teach someone about the shade guides, as well as act as a refresher course to the other members of the dental office.  We started by discussing the 3D shade guides, tips on how to use it and what to look for when taking a shade.  We then moved into an exam room, which allowed us to show how to take a shade, hands on.  Dr. Benson could discuss the lighting in the rooms, and how even the colors of scrubs, or patient napkins, could have an effect on a shade.  Once the lunch hour was up, they could return to their patients with a bit more knowledge, and hopefully more confidence, when working on their shades.  Those shades will help the ceramists at Renstrom to make sure we are delivering the most esthetic case we can, to ensure the patient's happiness.  One little phone call, asking if we had plans for a Shade Taking Course, led to a hands on, in-house lunch & learn!

If there is anything you, or your dental team is looking to learn more about, just give us a call! We can come in and go over different types of materials available to you, shade taking tips, ideal tooth preps, or anything you might be looking for more information on! We can even bring a technician out to discuss an upcoming case or treatment plan that you might have questions on. Maybe you are looking to gain more "social media presence" , we can help you to set up Facebook, Google+, or even a Yelp page! Just give us a call, and we will do our best to help you with whatever it is you are looking for! (And the best part - it's free!)

Renstrom Removables & Orthodontics: 1 Year Anniversary!

Deanna Wilson joined Renstrom Dental in April of 2013, creating our 1st Removable & Orthodontic Department! This was something we have been trying to bring into the lab for quite awhile, but wanted to make sure it was just the right time, with just the right person.  This past year has shown that she was the perfect match!

Renstrom's mission is to continually add value to the dental industry through education, innovation, and a high level of communication.  Deanna's presence has done just that!

We are now able to help doctors with any questions they may have on any case.  Our team of experts in Crown & Bridge, Ceramics, and in Removables can work together on even the toughest of cases.  The department has continued to grow over each month, and we are very proud of that achievement.  To celebrate, we are offering 25% off ALL of our Removable & Ortho cases for the entire month of May! If you haven't had the privilege of working with Deanna yet, feel free to give us a call and she can assist with any questions. Thank you Deanna, for all your hard work!

Star of the North 2014 - Thanks for a great show!

Well, the much anticipated Star of the North meeting has once again come to an end. It is always a great time to visit with some familiar faces, meet new dental professionals, and hear the latest buzz surrounding the MN dental community.  The meeting allows us to be a part of a weekend where so many people in the dental industry come together to better themselves, and in return better the community as a whole.

Renstrom has been an exhibitor of the Star of the North for over 40 years now. As much as things have changed throughout the years, I must believe it is the people that keep us going back each year.  The meeting gives us a chance to visit with doctors we currently work with without the distractions that take place in the office or lab.  It also gives us an opportunity to meet dental professionals we aren't currently working with, and answer any questions they might have, or offer services we might be able to provide for their practices. Then there is an extensive list of exhibitors.  As exhibitors, we are able to learn from one another about what we are seeing within the industry, and hear about the latest products and technology that are being released out into the market. 

Thursday evening kicked off with the "Exhibit Hall Premiere Night" from 4:30-8:00 pm. The night is intended to open the floor up early to dentists and their guests, so they can conduct some business in a more relaxed environment.  Rick, Ruth, Deanna, and Dr. Benson attended and were able to meet with some doctors to discuss case work and some treatment planning options they are looking to prescribe. We were fortunate enough to have Bob Irlbeck as our guest in the booth as well.  Bob is an extremely talented Removable Technician and has been Deanna's mentor throughout her dental career.  Bob helps to trouble shoot difficult cases, and is currently working on a CE course on Dentures & Partials for us later this Summer.  

Friday kicked off with the keynote speaker: Aron Ralston-127 hours, Between A Rock and a Hard Place. Throughout the day we heard nothing but excellent reviews and that it was a speaker not to miss. Rick, Deanna, Bob, and Randi started the day off in the booth, and it was a great morning full of friendly faces and positive attitudes.  I did notice there seemed to be an increase of dental students, from a wide variety of schools.  Dental students are always so friendly and seem genuinely interested in the work we provide. I always like to ask how they are liking school, because the answer is almost always they same - "I love it!".  How often do you get to hear that kind of a response from students?! It is just so great to see how positive and motivated these students are, and know the future of the dental industry is in good hands. As the morning came to an end, Rick and Bob had the opportunity to go out to lunch with a great doctor we work with out of St. Cloud. It was a gorgeous day outside, which usually means the exhibit hall quiets down after lunch as people try to catch a few hours outside if they aren't in classes. Randi caught the afternoon solo in the booth and had a great time visiting with different guests as they passed through the hall.   

Saturday brought the Exhibit Hall to a close. The day started out quiet, and from what I heard from attendees, even the CE classes were low in attendance. Although Saturday ended on a quieter note, it was still another excellent Star of the North Meeting! We would like to extend a big THANK YOU to every person who stopped by our booth.  Whether it was just to say hi, maybe you were looking to just grab a pen or candy, you had a question to ask, or you were able to spend some time hanging out with us, we appreciate everyone who stopped by, and everyone who attended the meeting. Finally, we'd like thank all those who have been working on this meeting throughout the year.  It takes so much planning, time, and dedication to arrange all the speakers and courses and make sure this meeting turns out as outstanding as it does.  

We look forward to next year, and to see what The Star of the North 2015 will bring!  

Mark your calendars - April 23-25, 2015...... See you there!  

Randi and Deanna checked out the Green Screen booth the Star of the North provided for the Exhibitor Hall.

Top: Rick, Ruth, Brian.  Bottom: Deanna, Randi, Dr. Jeff Benson: 2014 Star of the North Attendees

2014 Booth #324 Setup 

Mark Perkins at the Star of the North, around 1970