Mark A. Kleive DDS Blog
Posts for the ‘Uncategorized’ Category
Photos From The Spear Institute
Posted on March 2, 2009 7:45PM in Uncategorized
In my time mentoring at an advanced dental training course, I also enjoyed learning new things. Here are some photos from my time at the Spear Institute: 
Becoming more Ex”Spear”ienced
Posted on February 26, 2009 9:14PM in Uncategorized
Last fall I was invited to serve as a mentor at the Spear Institute in Scottsdale, AZ, one of the premier facilities for advanced, post-graduate training in dentistry. I viewed the invitation with humility because only 24 dentists from the US and UK were selected. Dentists were chosen for their mastery of both the technical and communication sides of the profession.
As a mentor, it was expected that I would facilitate an energizing learning environment. Participants would include dentists, their team members, and the patients that they bring to the program to treat. The topic for each course is the replication of natural beauty through the use of porcelain restorations for front and back teeth (i.e. crowns, porcelain inlays, onlays and veneers.) Participants learn the latest dentistry techniques and applications to achieve this goal with the guidance of a mentor at every step in the process.
I’m proud to report that my first course as a mentor was last week – a 2 ½ day program. It was a tremendous success for everyone involved. I loved the work and hope that you enjoy hearing about my top three observations and experiences:
Community – I embraced the opportunity to interact with a group of dedicated dentists (both mentors and participating dentists) who are establishing themselves as the leaders in dentistry. They are passionate about their profession and share their successes and struggles freely. We all had an interest in establishing long-lasting friendships with our colleagues.
Learning – I am a “learner.” I thrive and gain energy in the company of other “learners.” Although I consider my knowledge and application of the newest materials and methods for porcelain restorations and veneers to be strong, I find there is always something new to be learned. I found myself identifying new information and ways to improve dental services for my patients.
Building Value – I enjoyed the experience of building value between the participating dentists and the patients that traveled to AZ for treatment. I never tire of sitting knee-to-knee with patients and celebrating their part in the process. We all gain from the exchange; the dentist gains by learning and demonstrating advanced techniques and the patient gains from treatment techniques that are world-class.
I returned to my practice with a new energy for the advanced techniques such as technology and communication. For more information about what might be possible for you, please contact us today.
Spear Institute – Scottsdale, Arizona
Dentistry in Samoa
Posted on April 26, 2008 6:29AM in Uncategorized
My father, John, is a Peace Corps Volunteer on the island of Samoa in the South Pacific. Although there are many challenges as a Volunteer, this experience fits my father particularly well because he is an adventurous spirit. Below is a copy of an email that he sent me on his experience at the dentist. I thought all of you might enjoy his “storytelling”.
“Hi Folks,
I thought you may find my dental experience in Samoa interesting. It probably is about the same in most third world countries. It certainly is different from what we are used to. My son Mark (a dentist) will certainly get a chuckle out of this.
I have a partial plate with one front tooth in it. It fell off the sink one morning, dropped on the floor and cracked. The Peace Corps agreed that it had to be fixed (they refused to do an implant) so they first took me to the hospital first (Samoa only has one city and one hospital). At the hospital they didn’t have the material to form an impression so I was taken to a dental surgeon.
I arrived at 8:30A, got into the office at 9:15A. The dentist took a look at it, made an impression and told me to come back at 12:45P. At 12:45P I was back in the chair and fitted with my new flipper. It was about 1:30P by the time the new one was adjusted to fit and the original flipper was being repaired as a spare. By 2:30P my broken one was repaired and the new one was in my mouth. The whole thing was completed in one day. The total bill was (in USD) $92. The result is that I now have two flippers and neither one fits. My teeth don’t come together with either of them (you’d never know though unless I bit you). Not a big deal. For the next two years I’ll have to take it out when I eat. I’ll really be looking forward to getting that implant Mark.
The dental office was interesting. The windows hadn’t been cleaned in some time. It looked like foot prints on the windows but I’m sure they were hand prints. The paint had been slobbered over about an inch of the glass at the edges when they were painted. The curtains were water stained. There was a bug that looked like a spider but he had a tail and he was running around the edges of the window. He must have been dangerous cause the flies would ran like hell when he came near them. The linoleum was cut about 4 inches too long for the small room. About two inches of material overlapped the molding around the room. The table that held the dental tools was covered with paper towels. That’s not bad but these were stapled in around the edges, staple spacing about 3 inches apart. Heaven only knows when they were changed last. There were two AC units mounted through the wall but neither was on. There was a fan running full hilt in front of me however. The dentist wore no gloves, the tools I’m sure were the same customer after customer, the paint on the walls was pealing, everything was rusty, etc., etc., etc.. The price was right but that’s were it stopped.
Don’t come to Samoa if you need dental work. I can recommend better.
Fa soifua (good by and good health)…………….john”
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