As the end of the year quickly approaches, I get questions from other doctors about what things they should invest in for themselves and their practices. I have a definitive Top 6 list of things that I cannot practice without. (I made it six because I really couldn't not talk about each of these six items.) I also have 1 BIG THING on my wish list that I hope to get soon.

My Top 6 list of THINGS THAT EVERY DENTIST SHOULD HAVE:

6.) A DIODE LASER

I love my diode. I use it every day when doing CEREC restorations, when doing cosmetic cases were I'm adjusting tissue height, when doing gingival composite restorations and so many other areas. Some use it for perio. I use it to remove the discomfort patients receive from pathos ulcers. The prices on this technology has dropped dramatically over the last few years and now is a great time to pick one up for your practice

5.) CEREC

I had to include this, of course. I'm sure that many would think this would be No. 1 on my list. Don't get me wrong, I love this technology. The reason it is No. 4 is because I don't use it on every patient every day. It has a great ROI, my patients love it, my staff loves it, it makes me a better dentist and it has re- energized my love for this profession.

4.) ISOLITE

I did a recent blog on the importance of this piece of equipment. I cannot stress strongly enough how important isolation is for the majority of the procedures we do. The reason this is higher on my list than CEREC is because I use it way more on a day-to-day basis. If you don't have one in your practice, get one. You will not regret it!

3.) DIGITAL X RAYS

I could not ever imagine going back to film. Getting my info immediately and being able to see it blown up on my chairside mounted monitor is fantastic. I don't miss processors, chemicals, mounting films and the time it took to get the images. So easy to share info with patients and use it as a teaching tool.

2.) INTRA-ORAL CAMERA OR SLR CAMERA

I think getting a digital camera and taking photos of every patient that comes into your practice is of the utmost importance. A picture tells patients 1,000 words. When you can show an image of a situation in your patient’s mouth and ask the question," Do you see that?" and wait for their answer, they will tell you what is going on or at least ask you about it. I use it for insurance reimbursement, before-and-after images, Invisalign cases and just a baseline when new patients come in. I also use it when I see a suspect area that I want to send for a surgeon for evaluation or biopsy. It is an invaluable piece of equipment in our practice.

1.) LOUPES AND A PORTABLE HEAD LIGHT

I will cancel patients if my loupes break. I have actually done it. I cannot imagine ever prepping a tooth without magnification. About five years ago I added a mounted portable light to my loupes and I could not believe how much more I could see. I have not turned on my overhead light in years. You have a flood of light wherever your eyes look. This combination of magnification has taken my dental skills to a much higher level. There are lots of good options for both loupes and lights. Get a 30-day trial and use them. An absolute must have for EVERY dentist, in my humble opinion.

Now for my wish list, I have one item on my brain.....GALILEOS. That will for sure be my next big present to me and my patients. I hope the next time I put out Must-Have list, I can give my feedback on what GALILEOS has done for me, my practice and my patients.