Question: I am wondering about dental coverage after I get Medicare. My current employee plan includes dental coverage and once I retire, I will be on Medicare.
Monday, April 30, 2018
Stop the Rot: Increase in calls to 999 and 111 in Bradford over dental problems
New figures have shown the number of people in Bradford calling 999 and the 111 service with dental problems has increased in the past three years. A Freedom of Information request to the Yorkshire Ambulance Service shows 126 people called 999 in 2015, with a jump to 159 in 2016 and 160 the following year.
Beer, burger and balding for dental clinic
Greta Henning, founder of Penticton's free dental clinic, says the operation is still going, but they've had to scale back to monthly clinics. That's not for lack of need, she said, since the appointment schedules for the clinics are filled nearly as quickly as a date is announced.
4 tips to pay down student loans faster
It’s no secret that the average dentist is saddled with a lot of student loan debt when they graduate school. Having a strategy to quickly and efficiently pay down your student loans is critical to long-term financial success. These personal finance tips can help you pay down student loans faster, regardless of your specialty or income.
1. Put less than 20 percent down when purchasing a house. Between undergrad, dental school and sometimes residency, most dentists have spent a significant amount of time paying rent and are itching to build up equity in a house. It may sound counterproductive to have a smaller down payment, but think about it: If you had the option to allocate money to paying down student loans or putting money down for a house, the financially savvy thing to do is put money toward the higher interest rate student loans.
2. Refinance your student loan debt for a lower rate. No matter how long you’ve been out of school, you can still try refinancing your student loan debt for a lower rate, which could lead to paying it off much faster and saving you money in the long run.
3. Take advantage of disability insurance discounts while training. Many insurance companies offer discounts such as multi-life or association, which are locked for the life of the policy. Finding an insurance agent who can provide these discounts can help you save a significant amount on the cost of your insurance policy. By purchasing disability insurance before you start practice, you can use the extra cash flow from savings to apply to your student loan payments.
4. Maintain your training lifestyle when you start practice. Exercising financial restraint can be difficult when you start practicing. Typically, your income is increasing five-fold, and after living more economically for several years, the desire to upgrade your standard of living is strong. Keeping a frugal lifestyle in your early years of practice will significantly change the trajectory of your finances in the future. If you can maintain this relative level of spending, you will have some serious savings left at the end of each month that you can put your student loan repayment.
~SoFi Team
This content is sponsored and does not necessarily reflect the views of ASDA.
How to find a better dentist
Despite visits to numerous dentists, and a mouthful of dental work, Paige Horne remained uncertain why certain dentists seemed more aggressive with treatment than others, and why there seemed to be such a wide range of costs. " eight root canals, I have three implants," Horne said.
Dr. Steven Daniel has combined serving his patients with professional leadership throughout his career. Currently serving as president of the American Academy of Periodontology, Dr. Daniel talked with DrBicuspid.com about upcoming academy publications that will affect treatment of peri-implantitis and other periodontal diseases, plus the use of technology in a practice.
Your practice success is rooted in your team members. But they can't help you if you don't help them. Set the bar high for performance and offer training opportunities. Regularly provide encouragement and praise. By taking the time to take good care of your team, you'll help create a happy workplace and a healthy bottom line, notes Dr. Roger P. Levin.Sunday, April 29, 2018
Financial Contrast: Dentsply Sirona
Dentsply Sirona and Biolase are both medical companies, but which is the better business? We will compare the two companies based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, profitability, valuation, risk, dividends and earnings. Dentsply Sirona presently has a consensus target price of $67.00, indicating a potential upside of 33.09%.
Bayou Dental Health receives $193,000 grant from Delta Dental Community Care Foundation
The Delta Dental Community Care Foundation recently awarded Bayou Dental Health a $193,000 grant to purchase a multi-operatory mobile dental unit to provide much needed care to underserved residents in the Greater New Orleans region. Bayou Dental Health is a non-profit dental health organization serving low-income children and adults in New Orleans.
How long does it take to recover from a wisdom tooth extraction?
Wisdom teeth removal is one of the most common dental surgeries. It can take up to 2 weeks to recover fully after wisdom teeth removal.
Yukon dentist marks 20 years in practice
The Yukon dentist will mark her 20th anniversary in Yukon next month and is looking forward to what the future holds. Berg's practice, Berg Family Dentistry, is at 910 S. Yukon Parkway.
Saturday, April 28, 2018
Mechanicsville dentist sentenced to 30 months in $783,000 fraud
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Free Anaheim dental clinic generates smiles
Registered Dental Hygienist Erin McCollum, left, joins others in teeth cleaning at Friday's event. California Dental Association's free dental care clinic Friday April 27, 2018 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim.
Doctor says sexual assault didn't happen
Peter Schwarz took the witness stand Thursday to deny a female patient's allegations that he touched her in a sexual manner on two occasions in 2015. The 49-year-old physician also told the court that he didn't make any inappropriate comments to the woman.
Friday, April 27, 2018
Washington Shuts Down Care Provider For Disabled Adults, Now Families Face Tough Decisions
Beverly Davis of Spokane poses with her son Christopher Davis at his most recent birthday party. The company that provides Christopher round-the-clock care in his own apartment was recently decertified by the state of Washington.
Woman injured in huge NW 23rd Ave. explosion becomes 1st to file lawsuit
The Oct. 19, 2016 blast site, near Northwest 23rd Avenue and Glisan Street. By AIMEE GREEN The Oregonian A dental hygienist hit with shards of glass when a natural gas line exploded along Portland's Northwest 23rd Avenue filed a $689,000 lawsuit Thursday against the company responsible for the blast.
D.C. dentist fixes anti-gay attack victim's teeth for free
A local dentist restored Zach Link's smile, one of the two victims in the suspected anti-gay attack on U Street N.W. earlier this month, for free. Dr. Christopher Banks of Capital Cosmetic Dentistry heard about the attack, which left Link with broken teeth and a broken nose, and wanted to help.
Two new studies examined general dentists' comfort with performing endodontic procedures and what factors affected treatment completion time and rates. Researchers presented their practice management findings on April 26 at the 2018 American Association of Endodontists (AAE18) annual meeting in Denver.
In the movie "Groundhog Day," Bill Murray's character has to relive the same day until he finds a way to change his life. Practice management consultant Jen Butler has dentist clients who feel the same way, stuck repeating the same patterns in their practices and their lives. Change is not easy, but she offers practical tips to help you avoid the rut.Man accused of stabbing woman after attempted rape
A man in his 50s was arrested Wednesday after allegedly causing serious injury to a woman he had tried to sexually assault, Jeonju Police said. The 59-year-old man, surnamed Park, is accused of stabbing the dental hygienist in the chest at a dental clinic in Hyoja-dong in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, at 4:03 p.m. Saturday.
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Dentist uses his dog to teach kids how to brush their teeth
One dentist is using his best friend, and well, to some extent his business partner, for teaching moments in dental hygiene. At just 3-years-old, Bennett not only holds a job at a dentist office, but is now signing in as a visitor at schools.
Villanueva: On the regional economy, medical missions & the Bardillerans
CORDILLERA'S economy grew the highest at 12.1 percent in 2017. Let's talk about the economy next week because there is a more important matter I need to talk about.
Whatever the reason, poor time management can disrupt your practice and send an unfortunate message to your patients. Practice management consultant Andrea Greer makes her DrBicuspid.com debut with practical advice to help your practice run on time and build better rapport with your patients.
Is the dental therapist experiment in Minnesota a success? The answer largely depends on who you ask, and it is likely too soon to know for sure. However, the program at least appears to be on the right track, according to the panelists of an April 24 webinar held by the National Association of Dental Plans.Can't afford to get your teeth cleaned? You could get it done for free in Bellingham.
People who want to have their teeth cleaned for free can go in for a screening at Bellingham Technical College's dental clinic today and May 2. The ideal patient is someone who has not had his or her teeth cleaned for a long time, the college said. The dental care is part of students' licensing exams.
New staff and major upgrade for Whanganui's Dentist on Glasgow
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Wednesday, April 25, 2018
A simple trip to the dentist caused one man to have a life-threatening heart infection
What was supposed to be a routine dental check-up turned out to be the cause of a man's near brush with death by way of infection. According to the case report, published in the New England of Journal of Medicine , a 27-year-old man in Vancouver, Canada, went to the emergency complaining of a lump on his palm.
Maximizing your position as an associate
For many of us, part of the decision to become a dentist was based on our desire to work independently without a “boss.” While that may be the goal, even those who intend to become business owners and independent practitioners may have to report to someone along the way. Most will start off working for someone else, whether as an associate in a dental corporation or in a private dental practice. While you may be the preferred provider for many patients in the practice, in order to truly succeed in these initial positions, you will need to figure out how to build a good relationship with your boss and get the most out of your time in that practice. The least you can do is your job — and do it well. But beyond that, how else can you maximize your position as a new associate?
Understand the expectations. To do your job well, you have to understand all of the requirements of the position. Perhaps your boss expects you to build the practice but never fully communicated that to you. Imagine the disappointment when you simply treat the patients who are scheduled with you! Make sure that all expectations are communicated to you, so that you can exceed them.
Prove that you are trustworthy. Healthy relationships are built on trust and respect, but it’s likely that you’re practically a stranger to your boss. Since you have yet to earn trust or respect, the first thing you need to do is work toward proving your trustworthiness. If you say you will begin treating patients at 8:30 a.m., be present and ready for work by 7:30 a.m. When it comes to honoring your commitments, make a no-excuses policy for yourself. Hold yourself accountable. Your word is your honor, so if you say you will do something and then give yourself an out, you lose respect and trust.
Anticipate needs. Become indispensable by learning how to best provide support to your boss. If you see that she or he has taken vacation time, offer to work extra days that week to pick up the slack. Take some initiative and think about how you would treat the practice if it was your own. Be careful, though. Before you share your ideas and opinions with others about how to improve the practice, listen, learn and observe. It’s easy to critique existing systems, but if you’re going to point out problems, make sure to offer reasonable solutions. And before you do that, make sure your solutions haven’t been executed and rejected in the past.
Fit the culture. Initially, your best bet is to go with the flow. When you’re an employee in a practice, you don’t necessarily get to choose who works with you. Furthermore, the people who work with you comprise an existing ecosystem, and as a new member, you’re likely to create an imbalance in the existing system. Become a team player. If it’s difficult to get along with the others in the practice, try to determine where the disconnect is and work toward resolving it. Through it all, maintain a positive attitude. You can (and should) learn from any experience, good or bad. If all else fails, you can always look for a better fit in a different practice.
Remember that each opportunity offers new lessons, and as you progress through your career, the lessons you’ve learned as an associate will help you realize your growth potential in your dental career.
~Drs. Ivy Peltz and Eric Studley, Doccupations
Dental association offers help in light of Autism Awareness Month
April is Autism Awareness Month and the Connecticut State Dental Association is providing guidance to ease oral health for people and families who find visits to the dental office more challenging. April is Autism Awareness Month and the Connecticut State Dental Association is providing guidance to ease oral health for people and families who find visits to the dental office more challenging.
The success of your practice depends on your clinical skill but also on the ability to attract and keep patients, writes practice management consultant Sally McKenzie. But how do you handle patients who are late to pay, who don't make oral healthcare a priority, and who don't become repeat customers? Her latest column offers some practical ideas.
When considering whether to extract an impacted third molar, imaging might help guide your treatment decision. Researchers studied almost 1,200 clinical images of impacted third molars and came to some surprising conclusions about when extraction was appropriate.Veteran diagnosed with skin cancer after dentist spots mark on face
A routine trip to the dentist last year may have played a key role in saving an Oregon veteran's life. Shawn Montgomery, who visited the Portland Community College Sylvania Dental Clinic last April, had a small discoloration on his face that concerned his dentist.
Tuesday, April 24, 2018
July dental outreach to relocate
As the Mission of Mercy dental outreach to Wise County moves to an inside location separate from the huge Remote Area Medical clinic outdoors at the Wise County fairgrounds, both groups say they intend to put patients first.
Highlights of the ADA’s new oral cancer guideline
Whether you are a student dentist, new graduate, or experienced practitioner, we are always looking for ways to improve our clinical skills and provide the utmost quality of care to our current and future patients. According to the American Cancer Society, an estimated 51,540 new cases of cancer will occur in the oral cavity and oropharynx this year, with approximately 10,030 deaths occurring as a result. A majority of these malignancies will be diagnosed as oral squamous cell carcinoma. As such, one of our most important duties as dentists is to conduct thorough evaluations to prevent unnecessary suffering and increase the chances of successful cancer treatment.
As the American Dental Association marks Oral Cancer Awareness Month this April, it’s a good time to review the “Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation of Potentially Malignant Disorders in the Oral Cavity,” recently published by the ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs and Center for Evidence-Based Dentistry. The guideline is an update of recommendations released by the ADA in 2010 and is based on a systematic review conducted by an expert panel of clinicians and researchers from around the country.
Below are a few takeaways from the new guideline. It is important to note that, when it comes to oral cancer evaluation, the ADA encourages patients to communicate their concerns to clinicians and be key players in their own early detection.
Highlights of the Guideline:
1.) Clinicians should always obtain an updated medical, social, and dental history and perform an intraoral and extraoral visual and tactile exam in all adult patients.
2.) If a patient does NOT have any clinically evident lesions—which should be determined by the clinician—no further action is required. If a clinician is unsure if a lesion should be tested, they should follow the idea that if they are wary or suspicious of it, it should be tested!
3.) Patients with an oral lesion that doesn’t appear to be malignant should be periodically followed up with by their clinician to evaluate the progress of the lesion and to determine if further action is needed.
4.) If the lesion does not eventually go away on its own or malignancy is suspected, a biopsy should be conducted as soon as possible or the patient should be referred to a specialist.
5.) Cytologic adjuncts—methods of looking at cells to determine if they are indicative of disease—are not recommended to evaluate potentially malignant lesions. However, if a patient declines a clinician’s recommendation to have a biopsy or does not want to see a specialist, the clinician can use cytologic adjuncts to help with lesion assessment. A positive test result reinforces the need for a biopsy or referral, while a negative result indicates the need for periodic follow-up.
6.) Autofluorescence, tissue reflectance, and vital staining adjuncts are not recommended to evaluate potentially malignant lesions, nor are salivary adjuncts.
The guideline and an ADA-produced video summarizing the guideline’s recommendations are now available. We encourage everyone to utilize these resources to help ensure that patients’ oral cancer evaluations follow the latest evidence-based clinical practices.
~Alexandra Fushi & Adam Parikh, American Dental Association
This content is sponsored and does not necessarily reflect the views of ASDA.
'Unremarkable' Carshalton Forge to be demolished and turned into a dentists
A 200-year-old building in the heart of Carshalton will soon be demolished to make way for a dentists. In 2012, work began to clear the 19th century site before planning permission to turn it into a car wash had even been granted.
Can good oral hygiene help your patients recover from a heart attack? The same bacteria that cause periodontitis also inhibited blood vessel healing in a study presented at the recent Frontiers in CardioVascular Biology congress.
Less expensive but good-enough 3D-printed dentures will be a reality in the near future, according to a presentation at the 3DHeals 3D printing conference in San Francisco. Improving technologies are making denture production quicker and simpler.Norwich dentist prepares for charity mission providing care for Syrian refugees in Lebanon
West Earlham Dental Health Practice Owner, Gautam Sharma with members of the Taverham and District Lions Club, together with their donated items. Photo: West Earlham Dental Health A dentist from Norwich has thanked the many dozens of East Anglian businesses, schools, and individuals who are helping him enhance the lives of Syrian refugees in Lebanon.
Why You Should Use Urgencies & Emergencies
In Christchurch, dental practices are appointment based. Where an emergency arises for a patient, being treated on the same day can sometimes prove a challenge.
Monday, April 23, 2018
Some yoghurts contain almost all of a child's recommended daily sugar intake
Apparently healthy yoghurts can come close to sending children over their daily sugar limit in a single helping, campaigners have warned. NHS guidelines say children aged between four and six should have no more than 19g or five cubes of free sugar a day, while seven-to-10-year-olds should have no more than six cubes.
Caring for exotic animals makes UNLV dentist smile
Dr. Tina Brandon Abbatangelo, a professor of clinical practices at UNLV, is also a volunteer with the Peter Emily International Veterinary Dental Foundation, a children's book author and the reigning Ms. Nevada.
Information on student loans for predentals
After hearing my podcast about student loans with Howard Farran, a student emailed me and asked if I had tips for predental students. The following outlines my advice for those ready to pursue dentistry as their career.
1. Make sure you really want to be a dentist. It’s entirely possible you could graduate dental school with debt upwards of $550,000 (this varies by institution). You probably don’t want to change your mind about dentistry after racking up that kind of debt. Try to find out how much debt the average student is graduating with from the dental school you want to attend. Make sure you are clear on what kind of income you will need to make to pay it back, and then be clear on the kind of lifestyle you will get to live after your student loan payment.
2. I do think that even if you pay back every penny plus interest (i.e., you don’t use government repayment plan or scholarships), dentistry is still financially viable. The median dentist salary in 2018 was $149,000, although this varies a lot. Let’s say someone has $450,000 in debt. The annual payment to pay that debt off in 20 years at 7 percent is $41,866. That means at a 30 percent effective tax rate, you would need to earn about $60,000 just to pay your loans. That leaves you with $90,000 a year equivalent salary. This is about double the national average income.
3. Buying a practice will not solve your financial woes. Owning a practice can be a good investment. In addition to producing an income, you are also building up a sellable asset for another day. But owning a practice is complex. In addition to patient care, the owner must also deal with the marketing and management of the business. Not every owner gets this right. While it’s uncommon for practices to go under, that doesn’t mean a dentist won’t make less as an owner than he/she would have as an associate.
4. Stay up-to-date on student loan law. Seriously. There are probably a lot of changes coming in the next year. I’m not that concerned for people already in repayment, but if the laws change right before you start dental school, you need to make a decision based on the new laws. For example, the PROSPER ACT that is currently floating Congress contains language that would get rid of loan forgiveness, public service loan forgiveness and reduce all the income based repayment plans into one. If you are thinking about dental school, you need to keep on eye on this legislation and others that may affect your debt.
5. Live frugally in dental school. Just because you can borrow unlimited sums of money doesn’t mean that you should.
6. Remember that under current law, many graduates have payments that are based on their income, not their outstanding debt. I have had clients that have come to dental school out of a second career with some savings in hand and applied it to tuition. On more than one occasion, I have seen those people enter a government repayment plan after graduation and find themselves in a situation where they are using an income driven repayment plan to minimize their payment and experience the maximum amount of forgiveness. In other words, applying their savings to their tuition was a waste of money because their student loan payment wasn’t reduced (although their future tax bill, if any, may be). If you are coming to dental school with some savings or a small amount of family help, you may want to establish a repayment plan prior to spending your cash on tuition. You can always apply the cash to your debt right after graduation once you have an idea. You might accrue some extra interest, but you maintain some additional flexibility.
Dentistry is a great career and many of my clients, even those with student loans, lead very fulfilled lives. Be aware of what you are getting into and you will help yourself greatly.
~Ryan Schulte, Financial Adviser
Less cavities in children but still a lot of work left to do
But, there's still a lot of work to do, especially in minority communities which are the most at risk for cavities according to the center for disease control and prevention. In 2003, 67% of children experienced tooth decay.
The dental clinic may be the perfect place to test two of the greatest, therapeutic capabilities of virtual reality (VR): the ability to reduce pain and mitigate fear. Find out how one dentist is using VR headsets in his clinic to transform the traditional dentist visit.Kick the vaping habit say dentists
Whether you use sticks, pens, mini tanks or any other kind of vapourizer, the Ontario Dental Association says now is the time to kick your vaping habit for good. April is Oral Health Month and along with the usual reminder to brush twice a day, floss daily and see your dentist, the ODA is warning against flavoured smoking, or vaping.
Meet the $50 electric toothbrush that's giving big name brands a run for their money
The Insider Picks team writes about stuff we think you'll like. Business Insider has affiliate partnerships, so we get a share of the revenue from your purchase.
Sunday, April 22, 2018
A dentist speaks
My column last week on the disgraceful practice of Parkin police handing out expensive 'inattentive driving' citations like Halloween candy to victimized motorists along U.S. 64 rang alarm bells statewide, including one from a Memphis dentist raised in nearby Wynne.
Hitler's teeth: The woman responsible for the strangest mission of WWII
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5 ways parents can help children create great dental habits
That first wiggly tooth indicates a new childhood milestone - loss of the first "baby" tooth. While this is often a time for cute photos and a visit from the tooth fairy, it should also be an opportunity to reinforce the importance of good oral care with children so that their new permanent teeth stay healthy and last a lifetime.
'They had loads of plans': Friends mourn Wantirna South crash victims
A couple killed in a hit-run crash in Melbourne's outer east have been remembered as fun and well liked, a "ridiculously smart" woman and "one of the nicest guys you could ever meet". Matt Goland, 38, and Bita Zaeim, 32, both died after the crash in Wantirna South early Saturday.
Biolase (BIOL) and Dentsply Sirona (XRAY) Financial Analysis
Biolase and Dentsply Sirona are both medical companies, but which is the better investment? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their profitability, earnings, analyst recommendations, valuation, institutional ownership, dividends and risk. 36.2% of Biolase shares are held by institutional investors.
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Tooth Sensitivity: Causes, Remedies & Treatment
Tooth sensitivity is a common dental problem that involves discomfort or pain in teeth when encountering certain substances and temperatures. At least 40 million adults suffer from sensitive teeth in the United States, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.
Podcast Episode 111 - Justin After DentistAir-sealing, caulks,...
For this episode, the guys recorded the podcast a little later in the day than usual, because Justin just got back from the dentist, and he was a little under the influence of novocaine, as you can see in this video . Getting a crown at the dentist, it turns out, is a process that Justin compares to mortise and tenon carpentry.
Press release distribution, EDGAR filing, XBRL, regulatory filings
ACETO INVESTIGATION INITIATED by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Investigates Aceto Corporation for Possible Securities Fraud - ACET )--Former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., Esq., a partner at the law firm of Kahn Swick Foti, LLC , announces that KSF has commenced an ... LONGFIN SHAREHOLDER ALERT by Former Louisiana Attorney General: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against Longfin Corp. - LFIN )--Kahn Swick Foti, LLC and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until June 4, 2018... BRF S.A. SHAREHOLDER ALERT: ClaimsFiler Reminds Investors with Losses in Excess of $100,000 of Lead Plaintiff Deadline in Class Action Lawsuit Against BRF S.A. - BRFS )--ClaimsFiler, a FREE shareholder ... (more)
Gravel hauler slams into Clarkston dental clinic, closing Main Street
A busy stretch of M-15 in downtown Clarkston was shut down Friday afternoon after a semi truck slammed into a dentist's office. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office received reports of the gravel hauler driving recklessly northbound in the southbound lane on M-15 toward Clarkston shortly before the crash.
Pediatric Dentist John Emhardt '08 Featured in Newspaper
"Pediatric dentist Dr. John Emhardt saw a need in Shelby County," begins an article in the Shelbyville News about the 2008 DePauw University graduate. "On Dec. 17, he saw his first patient.
Marketing Ideas for Dentists
Marketing is not usually the first thing on dental professionals' minds. However, it's an important part of building a successful dental practice.
Friday, April 20, 2018
Contrasting Biolase
Biolase and Sartorius are both medical companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, profitability, risk, earnings, valuation and institutional ownership. Biolase has a beta of 1.72, meaning that its stock price is 72% more volatile than the S&P 500.
Golden retriever in Austin, Ky. helps kids get over fear of dentist
Bennett, a golden retriever, is a therapy dog. He works at the office of Dr. Matt Riley, a dentist in Austin, Kentucky, and makes trips to schools to relax kids and teach them about taking care of their teeth.
How to prepare to retake the DAT
Retaking the DAT can be a rollercoaster of emotions when you’re not sure how to react or prepare after receiving an unexpected score. I remember the moment after my first attempt, crying in my car and not knowing what to do. I applied to dental schools earlier that summer, hoping my DAT score would be strong enough for consideration, but it didn’t make the cut. All my plans, hopes and dreams for the next year felt crushed in a single second, and I felt so much regret, grief and disappointment for some time. But after a couple of days of rest and evaluation, I began to reassess my strategy for my second attempt. Today, I write to you as an accepted student to the 2018 entering class of the University of Texas School of Dentistry in Houston. It’s possible to improve your individual and overall scores with the proper preparation, tools and mindset. The following are personal recommendations to help you perform your best during your next attempt.
1. Evaluate your academic average and individual scores while identifying quality study material. Review that score sheet again to evaluate your performance. Maybe you’re strong in biology and reading, but weak in organic chemistry and quantitative reasoning. Identifying your weak subjects shows how prepared you were for those specific topics on the exam, and it’s important to revisit those in depth when practicing for your next attempt.
See if the study material you used was helpful. Maybe you purchased quality study material but didn’t follow a consistent schedule. Or maybe you were consistent with the material, but you don’t feel that it helped you learn the subject well. Consider looking into the DAT Bootcamp Study Group on Facebook, Student Doctor Network (SDN), or ask predentals and dental students what material they used for certain subjects and give them a try. Then you can create a custom study schedule that meets your learning style and timeline.
2. Identify your learning style. Understanding your learning style will aid in your selection of DAT prep material and your new strategy. If you’re better at self-study, make sure you create a schedule for yourself and stick to it. Also, study in an environment that keeps you focused yet comfortable. Identify how much time you need to prepare. Some students can study six to eight hours a day for one to three months, and some study one to three hours a day over three to six months. If you learn better face-to-face, take a class. There’s no shame in needing to take a prep course, and if face-to-face worked for you in your prerequisite courses, it will work for you on your DAT. Prep classes usually come with a schedule and material, so you won’t need to worry about creating a schedule or purchasing other study materials. When evaluating your learning style, it’s also important to avoid comparing yourself to others studying for the DAT. Everyone learns differently, and it’s in your best interest to study in the method that works for you. If you’re not sure what method is best, try creating a study schedule and staying on track for about one to two weeks. If you cannot stay on track, a face-to-face class is most likely the better method. Once you’ve identified your learning style, you can begin to modify how you practice by combining steps one and two.
3. Modify how you practice. When taking a diagnostic DAT exam or practice tests, put away DAT material and time yourself accordingly. Identify problems and topics that lack your understanding by circling them during your practice tests. Review them later and understand why you’re having a hard time. This is the best way to improve your timing on any section and stay true to how you will perform on the test. It’s important to be honest with yourself and identify your strengths and weaknesses while acclimating to the timing of the test. Also, once completing several timed practice tests before your DAT at the testing center, you’ll feel ready to tackle all aspects of the exam.
4. Develop the right mindset. Don’t let negative feelings inhibit you from believing you can improve your score. When we feel disappointed in ourselves, we become our own worst enemy, internalizing negative thoughts and feelings. But when there’s a friend who is emotionally hurt, we go out of our way to comfort and guide them in the right direction. This is when we must remember to be kind to ourselves as we are with others, to allow ourselves to express our feelings in a healthy manner and encourage positivity within us. No one is perfect, and the point of taking the exam again is to demonstrate your improvement and your motivation to do whatever it takes to become a dental professional. Remember that if you’re looking to retake your DAT, you’re not alone. There are plenty of dental students and predentals who have conquered the exam after their first attempt, and you can too. It matters that you’re trying to retake the exam, and it shows dental schools that you can pick yourself back up during times of adversity.
These steps are meant to be flexible and help to improve your insight on how to better prepare for the DAT. These steps helped me during my second attempt, and there’s no need to accomplish them in order. Preparing to retake the DAT is about evaluating how you can help yourself to improve your performance.
Best of luck, encouragement and persistence in this journey of self-improvement.
~Joy Nisnisan, Texas-Houston ’22
Join predentals nationwide in celebrating ASDA DAT Week! During the week of April 16-20, ASDA will be offering valuable webinars and resources to prepare students for the Dental Admission Test. Predentals that join ASDA during DAT Week will be eligible for prizes, including DAT resources.
Bucks County dentist pleads guilty, pays $1.5 million restitution for medicaid fraud
Attorney General Josh Shapiro today announced a Bucks County dentist has pleaded guilty to felony Medicaid Fraud and paid $1.5 million in restitution after he and his company submitted fraudulent claims to the Medicaid Program for dental work which was never performed . Dr. Ilya Babiner, 63, of Bridge View Road, Langhorne, pleaded guilty to Medicaid fraud and tampering with public records arising from $1.5 million in fraudulent claims he and his company submitted to Medicaid for dental work which was not performed at his offices in Feasterville and Philadelphia.
What factors should dentists consider before extracting a badly decayed first permanent molar in a child, and what are the consequences of removing or restoring it? Since there's no clear consensus among practitioners, researchers turned to the literature for answers.Bennett joins Miami County Dental Clinic -
The Miami County Dental Clinic board of directors are excited to welcome Melissa "Missy" Bennett as their new executive director. Bennett replaces their inaugural executive director, Claire Cain Timmer, who served in the position since 2013.
Thursday, April 19, 2018
5 Reasons Your Teeth Are So Agonizingly Sensitive
Eating ice cream should be a pretty damn wonderful experience. Sipping a steaming cup of coffee should be equal parts restorative and energizing.
Former Coronado dentists pleads guilty to unlicensed dentistry
Robert Mansueto, 65, is also expected to plead guilty at a later date in a burglary/forgery/theft case in which he allegedly deposited two checks -- one for $640,999 and one for $156,000 -- into his account after altering the payee to be the defendant's company, said Deputy District Attorney Gina Darvas. The defendant faces anywhere from probation to seven years in local prison when he is sentenced June 15. Mansueto pleaded guilty to the unlicensed dentistry counts as his trial was underway in the courtroom of Judge Melinda Lasater.
Two new dental clinics receive funding in Spokane
With $1.6 million in funding from Delta Dental of Washington, $400,000 from the Arcora Foundation, and $2 million in funding from the state's new capital budget, Providence Health Care and CHAS Health will be able to build two new dental clinics. The clinics will be built to serve Spokane's underserved and vulnerable populations, who face a lack of access to healthcare because they are on Medicaid or Medicare.
Stressed about the DAT? Here are three things to keep in mind
Originally developed in 1945, the Dental Admissions Test (DAT) was designed to measure general academic ability, comprehension of scientific information and perceptual ability of future dentists. Since then, hundreds of thousands of dentists have survived this test, and you will too! Here are three things to make sure you do before taking the test.
1. Submit your application three months before your desired test date
Decide when you want to sit for the DAT, and then apply for it 60-90 days prior. Please note that before you can apply to take the DAT or apply for admission to a dental school, you must obtain a DENTPIN®. Learn more about DENTPIN®.
2. Read the guide. The whole thing!
Make sure to check out the 2018 DAT Program Guide. It features all kinds of useful info, including test content, score information and eligibility requirements.
3. Complete DAT Practice Tests
The DAT program offers practice tests with questions written by actual DAT test constructors! They feature the types of questions and question formats used in the actual test, and will mirror the actual test specifications (although some modules/sections have fewer items than the actual test). Learn more about DAT Practice Tests.
~American Dental Association
This content is sponsored and does not necessarily reflect the views of ASDA.
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