Dental Sky shares the experience of Arfan Rashid, a practice owner and keen adopter of new technologies, and why The Wand has become his most popular piece of equipment.
There is a complex interplay between cost, perceived quality of care and patient loyalty. Satisfaction has its roots in a stress-free environment with streamlined workflows optimising outcomes. Consequently, a direct correlation exists between a positive dental visit and a growth in patient numbers. At this point, it is essential to note that word-of-mouth recommendation remains a significant source of new business for dentists.
Arfan Rashid owns and runs Dentalogica, a boutique dental clinic in Witham, Essex. It offers a range of cutting-edge treatments, including dental implants, mini dental implants, general laser dentistry, periodontal laser treatment, cosmetic dentistry and CEREC computer-milled restorations. The team’s priority is to deliver gentle and minimally invasive dental care.
Enhancing the patient experience
As an early adopter of new technology, Arfan bases his investment decisions on one key factor: will it enhance his patients’ dental experience? As such, he has been quick to incorporate cutting-edge treatments and digital tools into his delivery of care. CEREC restorations and laser dentistry became integral to his everyday practice long before they became a mainstay in other clinics. And this broad interest in innovation not only provided patients with an excellent patient experience; it also gave him a competitive edge.
‘I’ve been working with dental technology since 2003, always looking for ways to improve the patient experience. Whilst I might be interested in a new piece of kit, the fundamental driver has always been (and remains) to consider how it might impact my patients for the better. So, I used CEREC, which eliminated the need for messy moulds, and laser dentistry, which meant no drills in some cases and less invasive surgeries overall. Air abrasion was another way to ensure a more comfortable dental experience.’
This emphasis on patient wellbeing is particularly relevant when it comes to anaesthesia. Like many dentists, the challenges this presents to treatment delivery can be difficult for patients.
‘Previously, giving anaesthetic in certain cases has been difficult for some patients and myself,’ he says. ‘So I was constantly looking for solutions to make procedures more comfortable and predictable.’
‘A genuine game-changer’
In 2004, he collaborated with Dale Johnson, director of International Business at Milestone Scientific, during the early rollout of The Wand STA system in the UK under Dental Practice Systems (DPS). At that time, DPS served as the UK distributor for The Wand before Dental Sky took over exclusivity.
‘The Wand felt like a genuine game-changer. I bought it because I saw the potential for something revolutionary.’
It immediately became part of his clinic’s treatment offerings – and he now only uses The Wand for anaesthesia. Patients accepted the added value, and more importantly, they noticed the difference.
Arfan explains: ‘I use it with all my patients requiring anaesthesia. I became so passionate about it that I ended up teaching and demonstrating it at exhibitions. I ran morning and afternoon sessions for small groups at the Eastman Dental Institute and gave talks at places like Guy’s Dental Hospital, particularly in their special care departments.’
Interestingly, however, unlike some clinics that bundle injection costs into treatment fees, he has consistently itemised The Wand separately. He believes this sends a powerful message to his patients: that he has invested in them.
It’s a transparent approach that’s paying dividends and has led to strong word-of-mouth referrals, improved patient loyalty and a reputation for delivering stress-free injections.
‘When I first used The Wand in 2004, I was an NHS surgeon. The Wand was something I offered as a private service, and it revolutionised my practice. It made a significant difference in how I delivered care, enabling me to provide patients with a substantially improved experience. And right from the beginning, I priced it as an add-on. Patients would see it listed on their treatment plan and make a conscious decision to cover the cost.’
A more comfortable experience
As an itemised treatment ‘companion’, it helped to open up conversations about the multiple benefits of using a computer-assisted anaesthesia delivery system.
Patients understood that by opting in to The Wand, they were assured of a more comfortable experience. They could see the value in this, and they shared this on.
‘Word of mouth has always been a big driver of uptake. Patients tell their friends and family about the painless experience they had with The Wand. It’s now the most popular and most important piece of equipment in my practice. Every time I use it, I make sure it’s itemised on the patient’s invoice – because they then understand that they’re receiving something special and different.’
Even now, many years later, it remains something of a practice builder.
‘In 2024, we used The Wand 191 times, bringing in significant additional revenue, and more importantly, it reflects patient trust and preference.’
Ergonomic design
The unit’s portable, ergonomic design is another highlight, and it is efficiently utilised in every surgery at Dentalogica.
Although Arfan acknowledges that The Wand comes with a learning curve – ‘especially when I began using it with the single tooth anaesthesia (STA) system’ – he is quick to dismiss those who suggest it can make appointments lengthy.
‘The speed of anaesthetic onset with this system is notably faster, leading to a reduction in chair time. Quicker numbness means procedures can begin sooner, keeping schedules on track and minimising delays. STA provides instant, predictable anaesthesia, eliminating the need to wait for a patient to go numb. The treatment flows more smoothly, allowing the patient to remain relaxed throughout the process. So, the learning process with this system is worth the effort.’
‘One piece of kit you cannot afford to ignore’
For Arfan, practice makes perfect.
‘You hold the handpiece like a pen, making it a precise tool if you’re manually dextrous. Its predictability is critical. When used with magnification, it’s a real asset. To improve at this technique, consistent use is essential, as we employ it with every patient. There is no associated peripheral numbness, enabling a significant reduction in the amount of anaesthetic used.
‘The method is effective immediately in its single-tooth anaesthesia mode, saving time during procedures. When patients receive faster anaesthesia delivery with improved outcomes, their confidence in care increases. This leads to greater case acceptance, fewer last-minute cancellations, and improved overall practice performance.’
However, The Wand’s true value is that it offers Arfan’s clinic a powerful and unique selling point.
‘I always tell colleagues: if you truly care about improving the patient journey, this is the one piece of kit you cannot afford to ignore. Yes, there’s a learning curve. Yes, not every patient will understand its value right away. However, once you master it and your patients experience the difference, it will change your dentistry – and practice reputation – forever.’
This article is sponsored by Dental Sky.
