Simplifying Adhesive Dentistry Without Compromise

Jennifer Derse, DDS, has never taken a linear path, and she would likely be the first to say that is part of the fun. A nationally recognized leader in cosmetic and restorative dentistry, Dr. Derse’s career reflects an uncommon blend of clinical rigor, mentorship, and an enthusiasm for helping both patients and fellow clinicians thrive. Today, as chief clinical director of Espire Dental, she brings decades of experience into a role that allows her to mentor, teach, and shape clinical systems, while remaining deeply grounded in what actually works in the operatory.

After earning her DDS degree from Marquette University School of Dentistry in 2005, Dr. Derse began her career in Scottsdale, Arizona. Like many young dentists, she initially envisioned herself as a “Norman Rockwell family dentist,” but that vision shifted quickly once she was exposed to complex restorative and cosmetic cases. Early in her career, she worked alongside Paul D. Douglas, DDS, an experience she credits as transformative. “My first month working with him he gave me two smile makeover cases and said, ‘I’ll come check when you need me…go,’” she recalls with characteristic humor. That level of trust accelerated her development and ignited a passion for cosmetic dentistry that would define much of her professional trajectory.

Because she began performing full-mouth rehabilitations and cosmetic cases early in her career, Dr. Derse recognized the need for predictability and a deep understanding of occlusion, materials, and interdisciplinary planning. That realization led her to the Kois Center, where she immersed herself in advanced education. The Kois philosophy of evidence-based dentistry and systemization resonated strongly with her, shaping not only her clinical approach but also her perspective on efficiency and long-term outcomes. Continued learning, she believes, is non-negotiable. “The opposite of growth is stagnation,” she says, a principle that continues to guide her work.

In 2010, Dr. Derse relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she embedded herself in the community, attended networking events, and focused on delivering exceptional care. The process, she says, followed a classic “J curve,” but it reinforced her belief in relationships—both with patients and colleagues—as the foundation of a successful practice. Eventually, her career expanded beyond private practice ownership into leadership, education, and mentoring. In January 2020 she transitioned into leadership at Espire Dental, where she now oversees clinical mentorship and development across the organization.

Despite the evolution of her role, Dr. Derse’s core priorities as a clinician have remained remarkably consistent. She describes the most important aspects of practice as a hybrid of clinical predictability and trusting relationships. With time and experience, she has also come to value balance and forward progress—supporting patients and team members while continually refining systems. These values underpin not only her leadership philosophy, but also her preferences when it comes to clinical materials.

Dr. Derse’s introduction to All-Bond Universal from BISCO happened years ago, around the time the product was released. At the time, her decision was straightforward: trusted mentors at the Kois Center were using it, and it worked. In hindsight, she notes that while she might approach product evaluation more analytically today, the outcome has remained the same. The adhesive delivered consistent results in daily practice, which is ultimately what matters.

As its name suggests, All-Bond Universal quickly became a staple because of its versatility. Dr. Derse describes it succinctly and memorably: “It’s like a golden retriever of dentistry—it gets along with everyone.” In her experience, the adhesive performs reliably across a wide range of applications, including direct and indirect restorations, and can be used with total-etch, self-etch, or selective-etch techniques. That flexibility is especially valuable in practices with multiple clinicians who may have different etching preferences but share the same goal of predictable outcomes.

Over the years, Dr. Derse has worked with many bonding agents from major manufacturers, both in her own practice and later as she moved into hands-on coaching and teaching roles. All-Bond Universal, she says, stands out because it truly can be used for everything. From a systems standpoint, she says, this universality is critical. She emphasizes the importance of clarity and consistency in operatory setup, echoing a principle often taught by Dr. John C. Kois: simplify. “Pick one bonding agent, one cement, one bur block,” she says. Streamlining materials reduces confusion, increases efficiency, and enhances predictability for the entire team, she says.

Beyond its versatility, Dr. Derse highlights handling characteristics that matter in high-level restorative dentistry. She appreciates that All-Bond Universal is thin and colorless, a feature she considers essential when seating multi-unit ceramic cases. In contrast, thicker or yellow-tinted adhesives can compromise esthetics and complicate seating. These seemingly small details, she notes, can have an outsized impact on clinical success.

When it comes to bond strength and long-term performance, Dr. Derse’s experience with All-Bond Universal has been unequivocally positive. She reports no issues with post-operative sensitivity or debonding attributable to the adhesive. Any failures she has encountered, she says, were due to other factors—and she can identify exactly why they occurred. For her, that level of confidence is the hallmark of a dependable material.

Ease of use is another area where All-Bond Universal aligns with Dr. Derse’s philosophy. She describes the adhesive as straightforward and not technique-sensitive, provided clinicians follow the manufacturer’s instructions. This point is one she underscores repeatedly when teaching. “There are amazing scientists in the lab at BISCO who put a lot of time, knowledge, and effort into creating products to increase our success,” she says. Cutting corners—shortening scrub time or overdrying dentin—undermines that work and introduces unnecessary risk, she says. When used as directed, she maintains, the system works as intended.

In her leadership role, Dr. Derse has also appreciated the collaborative relationship with the company behind the product. She describes BISCO as an excellent partner, noting that the team has been supportive and engaged in clinical and educational initiatives at Espire Dental. That sense of collaboration reinforces her confidence in recommending the product to other clinicians.

For dentists still relying on multiple bonding agents, Dr. Derse offers encouragement to rethink that approach. She urges clinicians to be “courageous and progressive” and consider adopting a universal adhesive. From both a clinical and fiscal perspective, maintaining numerous bonding systems no longer makes sense, she argues. Simplified systems reduce inventory, minimize team confusion, and decrease mental fatigue. All-Bond Universal, she points out, supports selective-etch, total-etch, and self-etch workflows, allowing diverse clinical preferences to coexist within a single, standardized setup.

Ultimately, Dr. Derse says, materials that support consistent outcomes free clinicians to focus on patient care, team development, and long-term growth. All-Bond Universal has played that role throughout her career, from years at the chair to her current work mentoring dentists nationwide.

“I love what I do,” she says. Helping dentists and their teams enjoy their work while building sustainable practices is now central to her mission. Her long-standing satisfaction with All-Bond Universal mirrors her broader philosophy: when systems are simple, evidence-based, and reliable, everyone—from clinicians to patients—benefits. For Dr. Derse, that combination is the true measure of success.

Key Points

• All-Bond Universal is a light-cured, truly universal adhesive compatible with direct and indirect restorations and light-, dual-, and self-cured materials.
• The adhesive offers flexibility for total-, self-, and selective-etch procedures while delivering virtually no post-operative sensitivity.
• All-Bond Universal contains MDP and bonds to all substrates and is compatible with all resin cements, requiring no additional activator for indirect restorations.
• A single 6 mL bottle can provide approximately 145 restorations, supporting efficient and streamlined clinical workflows.