One clinician explains how using HuFriedyGroup’s IMS Cassette system improves efficiency and makes the whole dental team happy.
By Stan Goff, Senior Managing Editor
Organizing and sterilizing instruments in the operatory is a critical part of everyday dentistry. In this interview with Dentistry Today, Christina Carter, DMD, the owner of Carter Smile, LLC in Madison, New Jersey, tells us why she uses the IMS Cassette system from HuFriedyGroup, and how it helps with safety, quality, cleanliness, and efficiency.
Q: Tell us a little about yourself.
A: I’m a dual‑trained pediatric dentist and orthodontist and the owner of Carter Smile in Madison, NJ. My multi‑doctor, co‑located practice is built on a value‑based, prevention‑focused model that makes a meaningful difference for children and families, including those with special needs or craniofacial differences. Thoughtful design and attention to detail have helped us create a space where children and adults feel genuinely welcomed and supported. I completed my dental degree at UMDNJ–New Jersey Dental School (now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine), followed by specialty training in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at NYU College of Dentistry. I lecture nationally and internationally on pediatric dentistry, orthodontics, and care for children with special needs. Currently, I am an assistant professor at NYU College of Dentistry and volunteer with my certified therapy dog, Callie, through Creature Comfort Pet Therapy
Q: As a practice owner, what are some of the biggest challenges in managing instrumentation and sterilization workflow with your team?
A: Safety, quality, cleanliness, and efficiency. With the volume of patients we see in our practice, we need to have as fast a turnaround as possible. Reducing the variability of what is in our kits and our reprocessing system plays an important role. I value having quality instruments and appreciate the need to take care of them in the best fashion for longevity and clinical effectiveness. I wanted to be sure our systems encourage full compliance to infection prevention and safety guidelines. The challenge is keeping this all in mind while providing an easy and efficient way to keep everyone safe and instruments in the best possible condition. Playing the “sorting game” after each cleaning cycle takes too much time, too much brain power and increases mistakes. Essentially, every resource we put in place is wasted without an instrument management system.
Q: What are the top benefits of using cassettes as a practice owner?
A: Cassettes leave a positive impression on patients. In addition to providing excellent care, our office environment demonstrates a strong commitment to infection control. Space is critical in any office, and organizing instruments in a compact and efficient manner is essential. We have successfully optimized our space and workflow, reducing the risk of staff burnout from constantly sorting instruments. Cassettes allow us to “Marie Kondo” our armamentarium effectively while creating a reliable system for the team to manage. My team is safe from sharp instrument tips piercing sterilization bags and my instruments are protected during reprocessing. When I am chairside with patients, I’m no longer waiting for missing instruments from a set-up. Processing time is reduced and valuable patient time isn’t lost. Time is money and cassettes save me time in so many ways.
Q: How quickly did you realize the ROI for your investment in the cassette system?
A: Almost instantly. ROI can be calculated in many ways. Not only did it save me money, it saved us time, increased workflow, and made my team happier. Priceless!
Q: What are some of the benefits of implementing cassettes you have noticed with your staff?
A: My team loves that our procedure set-ups are always complete and organized requiring much less effort than before implementing cassettes. I immediately noticed the positive, unspoken feeling that their time is valued with this, somewhat simple, fix. The cassettes enable them to focus on other value-added tasks in the practice. It’s the perfect hidden gem for reducing office friction that eats away at time, efficiency, and happiness. The team has also expressed that they no longer feel overwhelmed or burned out from instrument processing. When interviewing prospective new hires, our practice is viewed as more attractive because of the cassettes. It’s an excellent way to differentiate our office and attract candidates during a challenging hiring environment. Cassettes simplify onboarding for new or temporary staff and allows team members from the administrative side to step in when needed, all without compromising the quality of our work.
Q: Before implementing IMS Cassettes, did you evaluate another system?
A: No, because I have great experiences with HuFriedyGroup instruments so I knew the IMS Cassette system was solid. I also knew I didn’t want plastic because I wanted them to be a lasting investment.
Q: What helped separate the HuFriedyGroup IMS Cassette system and what makes them better than other options available to dental professionals?
A: A quality product from a well-respected company that stands behind their product. I knew if I ever had an issue, HuFriedyGroup would stand by their product. Personally, I liked the look and feel of their cassettes compared to others on the market. I liked that we could color-code our cassettes to enhance organization. Anything to help with workflow!
Q: What problems did you realize implementing a cassette system solved for your practice that you didn’t anticipate? A: We have been using cassettes for the past 5 years. With a well-designed setup and consistently well-maintained instruments, it allows us to focus more effectively on patient care. Removing this point of friction in the office has enhanced the overall quality of life for our team, increased our efficiency and reduced the amount of physical fatigue and burnout. In this post-COVID era, even my most germophobic patients feel a sense of ease seeing us unwrap our cassettes. I notice fewer questions from patients about our sterilization protocols, and many have been impressed with our “new system.” Since using cassettes, my team has not been “stuck” with any instruments and fewer instrument tips have broken, resulting in costs savings. We have saved so much time processing instruments, my team is not having to sort instruments into bags and our storage is more efficient.
Q: What impact does having a system like the IMS Cassette from HuFriedyGroup have on a practice’s Infection Control/Prevention Coordinator (and the entire staff)?
A: My team felt I invested in them when I bought cassettes for the practice. They felt safer handling fewer instruments and experiencing less “pokes”; they feel their time is valued and speeding up our reprocessing system was a gift. Knowing set-ups were always complete really has helped reduce stress. Initially, the team was resistant to change and they feared the change of moving into cassettes. While we started with wrapping, we evolved into bagging our cassettes to fit their preference. In pouches, we see the color-coding, eliminating any chance of some mislabeling. Now our instruments are stored in an aesthetic and efficient way where patients comment on our strong commitment to safety and sterilization in a post-COVID era. The team loved being able to coordinate their instrument cassette colors, adding their own personal touch. Who would have thought re-vamping sterilization to be more efficient and cost-effective would be such a great team building experience!
Christina Carter, DMD
Dr. Carter is the owner of Carter Smile, LLC in Madison, New Jersey, where she practices Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics. She is a graduate of Haverford College in Haverford, Pennsylvania. She earned her dental degree at UMDNJ-NJDS, now Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Carter earned her Certificates in both Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics at New York University College of Dentistry. She completed a fellowship in Cleft, Craniofacial and Surgical Orthodontics at the Institute of Reconstructive Plastic Surgery-New York University Langone Medical Center. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Pediatric Dentistry and a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry. She earned her Certificate as a Holistic Health Coach from the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York. Dr. Carter is an assistant professor at New York University College of Dentistry in the Departments of Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics.
Dr. has been named multiple times as a “Top Doctor” by New Jersey Magazine and “Favorite Kid’s Doc” by New Jersey Family Magazine. She has been very involved in leadership in organized dentistry, and often appears on Sirius Radio “Doctor Radio”, AAPD Podcasts, and various publications. She also lectures nationally and internationally on both pediatric dentistry, orthodontics and treating patients with special needs. She was a consultant for Netflix “Wonderoos” S1 E 17 teaching children about proper oral home care.
