AU2003100755A4 - Method for providing teeth colouration services - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant: TINA INGEMANN NIELSEN Invention Title: METHOD FOR PROVIDING TEETH COLOURATION SERVICES The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2 Method for Providing Teeth Colouration Services Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for providing teeth colouration services to an individual. When the term "teeth colouration" is used in this specification, it includes teeth whitening, teeth discolouration, novelty or professional colouring of teeth etc., and applies to both the colouring/discolouring of an individual tooth or multiple teeth.

Background to the Invention In a society that is increasingly image conscious, teeth colouration, such as teeth whitening, has been seen as increasingly desirable. Teeth colouration services are currently only available from dentists. However, because of the cost, stigma and fear associated with dental visits, teeth colouration services have not been widely accessed by the general public.

Home teeth whitening kits are available from supermarket and pharmacy retail outlets, but suffer from not being professionally implemented, and many consumers have suspicions or concerns about home-use kits, again minimising the general proliferation of teeth whitening.

It would be advantageous if teeth colouration services could be made more widely available and provided in controlled formats.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect the present invention provides a method for facilitating teeth colouration of an individual comprising the steps of: notifying the individual of the availability of a teeth colouration procedure; arranging for the supply of the teeth colouration procedure to the individual; characterised in that the notification takes place in an environment that is other than a dental surgery or other than a retail environment for home teeth whitening kits.

The term "dental surgery" also includes a dental clinic or the like. The term "supply" is to be understood herein to include the provision of a useable teeth colouration product to the individual, whether or not the individual ultimately fits that product or it is fitted by a trained person. Advantageously, in the first aspect, an individual can be notified of one or more teeth colouration procedures in an -3 environment that is neutral by comparison to a dentist's premises, for example, by a trusted practitioner of a trusted profession in that practitioner's premises. This helps in making the provision of teeth colouration procedures, such as teeth whitening, more widely, easily and readily available to the community. The notifier can then arrange for the teeth colouration procedure to be supplied to the individual, for example, at the same time in the notifier's premises, or by facilitating a later appointment with a dentist or another prescribed teeth colouration expert or practitioner. The supply may still then take place later in an existing dental surgery, but advantageously the individual is less likely to experience fear in visiting the surgery (as all explanations, costs and arrangements for the procedure can be made outside and prior to visiting the dental surgery). Alternatively, the supply can take place at another time in the notifier's premises, or may even take place at the home of the individual or in some other pleasant environment or establishment. Thus the terminology "arranging for the supply" is to be given a broad interpretation.

In a second aspect the present invention provides a method for providing teeth colouration of an individual comprising the steps of: notifying the individual of the availability of a teeth colouration procedure; supplying the teeth colouration procedure to the individual; characterised in that the notification and supply take place in the same environment that is other than a dental surgery.

Advantageously in the second aspect, by notifying and supplying a teeth colouration procedure to an individual in the same environment, being other than a dental surgery, again the provision of teeth colouration procedures, such as teeth whitening, can be made more widely available to and easily accessed by the community. By offering these steps in the same environment the procedure can be controlled so that any stigma associated with home use kits is also overcome. In addition, the environment can be selected to be one that has pleasant associations, which can allow for the cost and stigma associated with dental surgeries to be overcome, again making the teeth colouration procedure more attractive.

3 0 Preferably the notification takes place in a commercial environment or a professional's premises. For example, the commercial environment can be a health spa, a resort, a hotel, a motel, a fitness or health club, a club, a modelling agency, a film and/or television studio/agency, a department store, a shopping mall, a clothing or fashion outlet, a food outlet, a market or market stall, through a cosmetic wholesale/retail, manufacturing and/or distribution company, and, in the case of the second aspect of the invention, the notification and/or supply can take place at supermarkets and pharmacies. In addition, the commercial environment can comprise a 4 specially selected and devoted teeth colouration centre that is marketed under a phonetic or visually attractive trademark.

In the case of professional premises, the premises and professionals can include beauty salons, hairdressing salons, combined hairdressing/beauty salons, plastic and cosmetic surgeons, medical practitioners including doctors, medical and health centres, podiatrists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, herbologists, iridologists, homeopathists and other health care professionals, pharmacists (as opposed to pharmacies), massage therapists, hospitals, image consultants, make-up artists, nail artists acrylic nail artists, manicurists pedicurists, photographers, cosmetic dentists (as opposed to regular dentists), wedding co-ordinators, fashion co-ordinators and corporate consultants (especially corporate image consultants). In the case of the first aspect, the supply of the teeth colouration services can be made in a dental surgery or in a retail environment, but the notification at least and preferably also the arrangement for the supply of the teeth colouration services take place outside of the dental surgery or teeth-whitening kit retail environment.

Preferably arranging for the supply involves pre-paying for the procedure, so that procedure costs can be controlled and so as to further dissociate from any stigma that may arise if the payment for the supply is made to a dentist.

Preferably the notification is conducted by a person in the commercial environment or professional's premise (eg. by one of the professionals). Preferably that person has been trained and/or certified to provide as a minimum an explanation of the teeth colouration procedure (or range of procedures). Additionally, or alternatively the notification can take place through some type of advertising medium in the commercial environment, professional's premises or on a global computer network, such as the Internet T M This advertising can include signage, a graphical user interface such as a touch screen, a screened commercial, flyers and brochures, voice-overs, telephone "onhold" notification etc.

In a more preferred implementation of the method according to the invention, the person that is the notifier can also be the supplier of the teeth colouration procedure or can arrange for supply of the teeth colouration procedure by another individual. In this regard, arranging for the supply can involve the appointment of and briefing of another trained person within the commercial environment or professional's premises, or an external consultant such as a dentist, dental technician or a specially trained consultant appointed by the overall business. The external consultant can then visit the commercial environment or the professional's premises, or the individual can visit the external consultant, at a prearranged/predetermined time.

Preferably, after an individual is notified, they indicate their desire to participate in the teeth colouration procedure. At that time, or at another time as appointed/arranged, the individual can then be examined for suitability and, if found to be suitable, an impression of the individual's tooth or teeth can be taken.

Preferably the impression of the individual's tooth/teeth is taken using an impression tray and an impression material, typically a dentally approved tray and material. Typically this impression is taken by an approved or trained person.

At that time, or at a later time arranged/appointed with the individual, the impression is preferably used to form a model of the individual's tooth/teeth and preferably this model is then used to form/manufacture a custom fitting tray for temporary mounting on the individual's tooth/teeth to effect teeth colouration.

Typically these fitting trays comprise or hold a colouring (eg. a whitening chemical), which is temporarily positioned (for hours, days or weeks) over the individual's tooth/teeth to facilitate the colouration procedure.

At the arranged/appointed time or at a later time, the individual preferably receives a custom fitting of the colouration tray and applies it to the tooth/teeth. This application can be facilitated by a consultant at the commercial environment or professional's premises, or can be facilitated by a consultant at another location (eg. the individual's home or other convenient location). The application can also be facilitated by the individual themselves, once the custom tray has been manufactured and after they receive it.

Advantageously, the method according to the invention makes teeth colouration procedures more widely, easily and readily available.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred example of the invention will now be described.

Example A business was established under the phonetically and visually attractive trade mark "Sexy Smiles" to supply teeth colouration services to customers. Then a number of Sexy Smiles Outlets and/or Sexy Smiles Dental Clinics (hereafter collectively "Sexy Smiles Outlets") were established. An outlet could be a notifier/arranger of the services (ie. not providing the actual teeth colouration service itself) or both a notifier/arranger and provider of the teeth colouration services.

6 The Sexy Smiles Outlets included dedicated and certified Sexy Smiles Centres such as beauty salons, and either or both of certified professional premises and certified commercial environments.

The professional premises and professionals included plastic cosmetic surgeons, cosmetic dentists (as opposed to regular dentists), medical practitioners (including doctors), medical centers, hospitals, healthcare professionals such as podiatrists, chiropractors, physiotherapists, herbologists, iridologists, pharmacists (as opposed to pharmacies), homeopathists, massage therapists etc, image consultants, make-up artists, nail artists acrylic nail artists, manicurists pedicurists, photographers, wedding coordinators, fashion coordinators, corporate consultants etc.

The commercial environments included health spas, resorts, hotels, motels, clubs, hairdressing and/or beauty salons, fitness and health clubs, modelling agencies, film and/or television schools premises, department stores shopping malls, markets and market stalls, clothing fashion outlets, food outlets, cosmetic wholesale/retail manufacturing and distribution businesses, and supermarkets (the latter for the actual supply of the teeth colouration services).

The Sexy Smiles Business then certified the Sexy Smiles Outlets by training one or more individuals (Trained Individual) in one or more of: Sat the least, notification, information referral skills; taking of tooth/teeth impressions; formation of tooth/teeth models; formation of tooth/teeth colouration trays; provision of teeth colouration chemicals into tooth/teeth colouration trays; fitting of the tooth/teeth colouration trays to customers.

The Sexy Smiles Business then provided (sold) each Sexy Smiles Outlet with certificates (numbers as required) and provided the outlet with a receipt. This helped to control costs, to ensure a consistent pricing across Outlets.

As a minimum, after notifying and informing (ie. explaining) the teeth colouration service to a prospective customer, the Trained Individual in the Outlet sold a Sexy Smiles certificate to the customer and provided the customer with a receipt. The certificate then acted as a referral to a Certified Provider of the services (eg. a dentist, a -7cosmetic dentist, a dental technician, a Sexy Smiles Clinic, a medical practitioner, health care professional etc).

Before their tooth/teeth impression was taken, the Trained Individual then followed one of: advising the customer to make an appointment with the Certified Provider and to provide their certificate to the Certified Provider; making an appointment with the Certified Provider on behalf of the customer; or notifying the Sexy Smiles Business that a sale had been concluded so that the Business could then make an appointment with the Certified Provider, and notify the customer.

The third option provided maximum cost control or the business. The certificate was also able to list (eg. on the rear) the Certified Providers in a given region, together with their contact details, address etc., to assist the customer.

As an alternative to on-referral, the Outlet or the Business arranged an appointed date and time for a Certified Provider to attend at the Outlet's premises. As another alternative, the Outlet employed or had present therein its own Certified Provider to provide the full range of teeth colouration services. In this regard, the Sexy Smiles Outlet typically arranged an area within their outlet to be dedicated or made available for the Certified Provider to work in, and take the required impression etc.

In any case, once an appointment was made, the Outlet advised the Sexy Smiles Business that a sale had been concluded, so that the Business could track the procedure to monitor quality, customer satisfaction etc. The referral and appointment procedure was also able to be facilitated by a computer network, such as a dedicated Sexy Smiles intranet or on a global computer network such as the Internet T M The Certified Provider then examined the prospective client for suitability. If the client was considered suitable, the Certified Provider proceeded to take an upper and/or lower impression of the client's teeth with a Sexy Smiles Business approved impression tray and impression material.

Depending on the delivery model adopted by the Business or the particular premise, the Certified Provider could then deliver the impressions to the Sexy Smiles Business along with the client's certificate. Alternative, the Certified Provider could continue with the service.

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8 In any case, at a given location or premise, the upper and/or lower model from the impressions were used to manufacture the custom fitting trays from these model(s).

On completion of the custom fitting trays manufacture the Business or Certified Provider packaged their whitening or colouration trays and whitening or colouration chosen product kit and delivered it to the Outlet for collection by the customer.

The Outlet advised the customer of the arrival of the package at their premises and arranged for collection of the sealed package by the customer. Alternatively, the Certified Provider unsealed the package and fitted the trays to the customer. The customer in any case signed for receipt of the package sealed or unsealed in their presence.

Once all services and products had been provided, this concluded the sale.

Where a customer was considered unsuitable for the procedure the Sexy Smiles Business authorized a refund.

The notification and optionally the arranging for supply of the services can also be facilitated by and on a global computer network, such as the Internet T M as accessed and used by the customer. For example, the customer can order on the Intemrnet T M have their teeth impression taken locally and then be delivered with the finished, ready-to-use product by the Business.

Advantages Advantageously, the method according to the invention can provide professional Dentist-type tooth whitening and tooth colouration services in a range of Outlets and in a range of ways.

To control quality and cost these can be provided tlhrough Sexy Smiles Outlets via custom fitted trays manufactured from the impression taken of the customer's natural, implants, capped, and/or crowned teeth at the Sexy Smiles Approved Outlet or even at a Sexy Smiles Dental Surgery.

Advantageously, the customer can be provided with their own custom fitted trays and whitening or colouration products at or via the Outlet or by the Business.

Advantageously, the Outlets can be established to provide the services throughout Australia and internationally, and can be established as a chain or franchise of Outlets.

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9 As a further advantage, the expensive teeth colouration procedures which have heretofore only been available through dental clinics/surgeries, can be provided cost effectively.

Thus the method according to the invention can: Reduce the cost of tooth whitening or colouring procedures.

Increase accessibility of these procedures to the public in a more user-friendly environment.

Remove the stigma and anxiety associated with a visit to the dentist.

Limit the cost to the specific procedure thus avoiding additional dental procedures that may be unnecessary for access to the whitening/colouring process.

Provide the customer with the ability to increase self confidence as a result of the process.

Provide improved customer personal appearance.

Provide an additional service opportunity to a wide range of businesses and professions.

Whilst the invention has been described with reference to a number of preferred embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (4)

1. A method for facilitating teeth colouration of an individual comprising the steps of: notifying the individual of the availability of a teeth colouration procedure; arranging for the supply of the teeth colouration procedure to the individual; characterised in that the notification takes place in an environment that is other than a dental surgery or other than a retail environment for home teeth whitening kits.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 wherein the arranging for the supply involves pre-paying for the procedure.

3. A method for providing teeth colouration of an individual comprising the steps of: notifying the individual of the availability of a teeth colouration procedure; supplying the teeth colouration procedure to the individual; characterised in that the notification and supply take place in the same environment that is other than a dental surgery.

4. A method as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the notification takes place in a commercial environment or a professional's premises. A method for providing and/or facilitating teeth colouration of an individual substantially as herein described with reference to the Example. Dated this 8th day of September 2003 TINA INGEMANN NIELSEN By her Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK