Dr. Sachin Parulkar was born to practice pediatric dentistry. And he didn’t want to start short when opening his first practice. BencoNET gave him the high-tech tools he needed to focus on what he loves doing most... caring for his patients.

A Swift First Step. A graduate of The Ohio State University’s College of Dentistry, Dr. Parulkar has always utilized high-tech tools throughout his training and early career—a trend he was adamant about continuing in a new practice. His search began in 2009 as the young pediatric dentist sought to find the practice he could finally call his own. Dr. Parulkar was already relying on Benco Dental to supply and equip his inaugural voyage into practice ownership; but identifying the correct provider for his technological backbone was a much more labor-
intensive process.

“I interviewed several people with the mix of computer and dental technology experience,” Dr. Parulkar recalls. “I wanted someone with knowledge in both areas.” The doctor’s interviews yielded the decision of selecting Benco Dental’s BencoNET team to network his office and supply a reliable infrastructure and responsive service. The clincher, however, was BencoNET’s ability to integrate any provider’s software with a broad range of products. “I liked the fact that there was freedom to choose whatever products I wanted. I didn’t have to contact individual vendors if I wanted something that another wasn’t offering.”

With a provider selected, Dr. Parulkar had a team of dental experts at his disposal. Friendly Benco Rep Jennifer Huber, Equipment Specialist Dominic Donnellan (now serving doctors in the Cleveland area) and BencoNET Tech John Righter made up the team with the fusion of dental and technological expertise for which Dr. Parulkar was longing. “The amount of knowledge we brought to the table really impressed the doctor,” Donnellan says. “He liked our background and how we were open to embracing technology in dentistry.”

Preparation & Integration. “In my opinion, technology is technology,” Dr. Parulkar notes. “For me, the bottom line is service—who’s going to stick around after you cut them a check?”Following his decision, the doctor’s BencoNET experts remained by his side as the crew commenced with installation. Dr. Parulkar proudly reports no delays as Righter was able to expediently resolve any issues that arose along the way. “With technology, you’re going to have glitches and bugs, but we were able to iron all those out before we opened,” he says. “I called John, and we could always set something up in a couple days at the absolute latest. With other providers, you could have someone not returning calls; with John, I’ve never had that issue. He’s
been fantastic.”

Righter’s ability to adapt to any situation took the worry out of a potentially nerve-wracking process. Dr. Parulkar had a tight deadline to meet so his practice could open on time, and Righter exhausted every measure to ensure the technology install remained on schedule.

Integrated into a high-speed network was a Gendex 8500 Orthoralix pan, Air Techniques ScanX intraoral imaging system, Visix imaging software and two of five potential operatories fully equipped with monitors, computers and DVD players for the pediatric dentist’s infant, child, adolescent and special needs patient base.

"After working with BencoNET for several months, I can say I’m very satisfied with the customer service,” Dr. Parulkar, who reports the same for his new Equipment Specialist, Jay Marinko, says. “I went with them first for experience and knowledge, but the service made me feel even better about my decision.”

Opening Doors. Dr. Parulkar officially opened his first practice in February of 2010 and has been reaping the benefits of his BencoNET package ever since. “The computers are all networked so scheduling is much easier,” he notes. “We can see who’s here and who’s in the reception area, so we can keep an eye on the schedule.”

Staff members are taking advantage of even more advantageous features of the network. Instant messaging is available throughout the office so a receptionist does not need to leave the front desk, and radiography is readily available at every workstation. The doctor and his staff have instantaneous communication and information transfer, cutting down on chair times and appointment lengths.

“Dr. Parulkar has been thrilled with everything,” Righter comments. “Out of the blue, he’ll text me and say ‘Great job!’ The Visix software works seamlessly, and a wireless router lets the doctor take his personal laptop anywhere in the office and access the same network.”

Dr. Parulkar adds that he can’t fathom practicing in these times without the technology put in place by BencoNET. “I can imagine it because I’ve done it before; but would I want to? No way,” he says. “I’ve done the charting and coloring, developed film and mounted X-rays. I think it would be completely counter intuitive to use those methods today based on where dentistry is going.”

Ambitious Aspirations. A new practice is just the beginning for Dr. Parulkar’s promising, new career. He’s quickly attracting more and more patients through strategic marketing that includes showing off his digital and high-teach capabilities—not to mention a free Toys R’ Us gift card for new patients. “I think all the technology is great for efficient patient care, as well as for marketing the practice,” Dr. Parulkar proclaims. “If there is a population interested in bringing a child to an office for treatment, having digital equipment, DVDs for the kids to watch and other high-tech elements will be appealing to those families.”

Dr. Parulkar believes it’s those little touches that can potentially differentiate practices from the competition. He’s taken note of requests from past practices and has implemented them all into a child-friendly office with all the technology to keep parents smiling as well. He even applied a creative element of his own, installing a four-foot-high door, specially made for his child patients to have all for themselves. “I don’t think it’s these types of things make or break a practice,” he says. “Ultimately, it comes down to the type of person you are”—a question his Friendly Benco Rep answers with complete confidence.

“Once you meet Dr. Parulkar, you’ll quickly see that he’s the nicest person you’ve ever met,” Huber adds. “He was born to practice pediatric dentistry.”