Another warning about the potentially harmful effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has been issued. A new poster from a prestigious European conference details what is contained in e-cigarettes, and the authors urge more research on this subject.
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Talking with patients about their periodontal disease risk may encourage them to become active participants in their oral care, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology.
True accountability is giving people the tools to help them develop as professionals so that they can do their jobs. Unfortunately, most leaders don't understand how to instill a sense of accountability in their teams. But if you desire to have a great team, accountability is key. And it begins with you, Dr. Roger P. Levin notes in his latest Practice Success tip.
Experiencing dental disease as a child may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease later in life, according to the findings of a long-term study published on April 26. The study casts doubt on the arbitrary divide between oral health and overall health, experts noted.
A smartphone application could be the perfect tool to help your patients brush better. A new study found that patients who used an application with brushing feedback experienced a 70% reduction in plaque within just four weeks.
Dentists and hygienists tell their patients every day to use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between their teeth. However, how much evidence is there that these devices, plus toothbrushing, do their jobs well? Researchers updated a comprehensive review of these devices' effectiveness to find out.
A new publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) casts doubt on the reliability of previously reported data that suggested that U.S. dental fluorosis was on the rise among U.S. children.
Keeping control of overhead is as important as increasing production, Dr. Roger P. Levin notes in his latest Practice Success tip. By focusing on overhead and keeping it within or below an acceptable range, practices will almost immediately have an understanding of their current state and know what to do to improve performance.
Iowa is the best U.S. state for children's dental health in 2019, according to a new report from personal finance website WalletHub. WalletHub ranked all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia based on 33 indicators of oral and overall health.
Can cold therapy help patients after third-molar surgery? The results of a recent scientific review are mixed. While cold may be helpful for managing swelling, its other benefits are questionable.
More than 80% of patients with head and neck cancer develop painful oral mucositis during radiation treatment. Researchers compared two frequently used mouthwashes with a placebo mouthwash to measure the pain relief they provided.
The U.S. is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of measles cases in 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this Second Opinion column, hygienist Corinne Jameson-Kuehl writes that dental practitioners need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles to prevent its spread within the dental office and the community.
Could paying attention to one aspect of healthcare increase a patient's chances of recovery? What if this were not some new technology or device but rather taking the time to listen to your patients and understand their feelings? Periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg suggests empathy might be a key to helping patients heal.
Western Dental has jumped three spots in DrBicuspid.com's twice-a-year update of the list of the largest dental service/support organizations (DSOs) in the U.S. The DSO has added more than 50 practices since the last update. How did the other DSOs on our list rank? Find out in our updated list.
The current surgical model of caries management relies on symptomatic treatment via drilling and filling. However, the authors of a new review article in Dentistry Journal suggest practitioners should be refocusing their caries management using a medical model centered around prevention, timely intervention, and support of natural healing.
As the practice leader, you are responsible for keeping team members informed and inspired, notes Dr. Roger P. Levin in his latest Practice Success tip. Outline the day's schedule in the morning meeting, frequently thank and compliment staff, or give encouragement when challenges arise, he advises. Just make sure that every interaction is clear and positive.
Hospital admissions charges because of nontraumatic dental infections cost Texas $1.7 billion over 10 years, according to a new analysis of inpatient hospital data. These infections also cost nearly 200 Texans their lives.
New research on pain control and management for patients was presented on April 11 at the 2019 American Association of Endodontists annual meeting in Montreal. The presentations included research on the use of photodynamic therapy, persistent pain after root end surgery, and the link between depression and postoperative pain.
Is a nonsurgical treatment approach successful when treating patients with periodontal pocket depth of 5 mm or more? A study of more than 1,100 patients sought to find out. The researchers conclusions may change how you approach treating these patients.
The evaluation of buccal bone can be difficult as panoramic or periapical images may underestimate the amount of bone available. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) units can be useful for making an accurate diagnosis, but is any particular system on the market more accurate?
New patients want to know that your practice is interested in their oral health, not just trying to get them to accept expensive treatments. Practice management consultant Sally McKenzie suggests conducting a new-patient interview to learn what they like and don't like about their oral health.
Obtaining accurate data on which dentists see Medicaid patients and how many patients they treat can be difficult. Researchers looked at these issues, and their findings suggest that Medicaid participation rates may be much lower than previously believed, they reported in a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Every day there are a thousand different things that can create inefficiency in your office. Poor communication, scheduling, or systems can throw any practice off its game. Working efficiently doesn't just happen. It takes proper planning and focus. Dr. Roger P. Levin offers tips for creating a more efficient office.
Dental sealants are one of the most commonly used tools to help prevent dental decay, but more than half of U.S. adults don't know that. A recent survey published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 46% of adults could not answer a basic question about the nature of dental sealants.
Dr. Roger P. Levin often reminds dentists that the staff they have now likely is not the staff they will retire with. Hiring the right staff is a process, he notes in his latest column. He details five reasons why some new hires do not work out and how to improve your hiring process.
Teledentistry at one time may have been thought of as exclusively a public health service. However, as the technology has evolved and the costs involved lowered, the opportunity for this service to add to your practice's revenue has grown. Part 2 of this series by Michael Ventriello focuses on how to promote the benefits to your current and prospective patients.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule to lower the allowable level of fluoride in bottled water. The new level of 0.7 mg/L parts per million is the same as the standard set by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2015 for community water systems.
A patient came into periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg's office saying he wanted to become healthy. It's a good first step, writes Dr. Danenberg, but this patient must also stop smoking and other behaviors if he is going to have a chance to become healthy. Patients have to be willing to participate in their own healthcare, he notes.
In the second part of her series on updates to the Codes on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT codes), Christine Alfano of Vyne details some of the changes to codes that deal with preventive, periodontal, and other treatments.
Emergency physicians overuse conventional CT scans to rule out dangerous dental infections in patients, a recent study has found. Is a set of standardized guidelines the answer to reducing unnecessary radiation exposure for these patients?
Porcelain laminate veneers can provide dependable, conservative treatment for anterior teeth with aesthetic problems. However, issues such as porcelain fracture and chipping can mar results, and long-term clinical data are limited. To learn more, researchers investigated the long-term performance of this restorative option.
Whether it's for you, your staff, or your patients, educational opportunities are a great benefit to your practice, Dr. Roger P. Levin notes in his latest Practice Success tip. Business education helps improve your management skills. Continuing education can keep your staff up to date with the latest technology and techniques, and dental education will help teach your patients the value of proper dental care.
Another warning about the potentially harmful effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) has been issued. A new poster from a prestigious European conference details what is contained in e-cigarettes, and the authors urge more research on this subject.
Talking with patients about their periodontal disease risk may encourage them to become active participants in their oral care, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology.
True accountability is giving people the tools to help them develop as professionals so that they can do their jobs. Unfortunately, most leaders don't understand how to instill a sense of accountability in their teams. But if you desire to have a great team, accountability is key. And it begins with you, Dr. Roger P. Levin notes in his latest Practice Success tip.
Experiencing dental disease as a child may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease later in life, according to the findings of a long-term study published on April 26. The study casts doubt on the arbitrary divide between oral health and overall health, experts noted.
A smartphone application could be the perfect tool to help your patients brush better. A new study found that patients who used an application with brushing feedback experienced a 70% reduction in plaque within just four weeks.
Dentists and hygienists tell their patients every day to use dental floss or an interdental cleaner to clean between their teeth. However, how much evidence is there that these devices, plus toothbrushing, do their jobs well? Researchers updated a comprehensive review of these devices' effectiveness to find out.
A new publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) casts doubt on the reliability of previously reported data that suggested that U.S. dental fluorosis was on the rise among U.S. children.
Iowa is the best U.S. state for children's dental health in 2019, according to a new report from personal finance website WalletHub. WalletHub ranked all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia based on 33 indicators of oral and overall health.
Can cold therapy help patients after third-molar surgery? The results of a recent scientific review are mixed. While cold may be helpful for managing swelling, its other benefits are questionable.
More than 80% of patients with head and neck cancer develop painful oral mucositis during radiation treatment. Researchers compared two frequently used mouthwashes with a placebo mouthwash to measure the pain relief they provided.
The U.S. is experiencing a sharp increase in the number of measles cases in 2019, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this Second Opinion column, hygienist Corinne Jameson-Kuehl writes that dental practitioners need to be aware of the signs and symptoms of measles to prevent its spread within the dental office and the community.
Could paying attention to one aspect of healthcare increase a patient's chances of recovery? What if this were not some new technology or device but rather taking the time to listen to your patients and understand their feelings? Periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg suggests empathy might be a key to helping patients heal.
Western Dental has jumped three spots in DrBicuspid.com's twice-a-year update of the list of the largest dental service/support organizations (DSOs) in the U.S. The DSO has added more than 50 practices since the last update. How did the other DSOs on our list rank? Find out in our updated list.
The current surgical model of caries management relies on symptomatic treatment via drilling and filling. However, the authors of a new review article in Dentistry Journal suggest practitioners should be refocusing their caries management using a medical model centered around prevention, timely intervention, and support of natural healing.
Hospital admissions charges because of nontraumatic dental infections cost Texas $1.7 billion over 10 years, according to a new analysis of inpatient hospital data. These infections also cost nearly 200 Texans their lives.
New research on pain control and management for patients was presented on April 11 at the 2019 American Association of Endodontists annual meeting in Montreal. The presentations included research on the use of photodynamic therapy, persistent pain after root end surgery, and the link between depression and postoperative pain.
The evaluation of buccal bone can be difficult as panoramic or periapical images may underestimate the amount of bone available. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) units can be useful for making an accurate diagnosis, but is any particular system on the market more accurate?
New patients want to know that your practice is interested in their oral health, not just trying to get them to accept expensive treatments. Practice management consultant Sally McKenzie suggests conducting a new-patient interview to learn what they like and don't like about their oral health.
Obtaining accurate data on which dentists see Medicaid patients and how many patients they treat can be difficult. Researchers looked at these issues, and their findings suggest that Medicaid participation rates may be much lower than previously believed, they reported in a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
Dental sealants are one of the most commonly used tools to help prevent dental decay, but more than half of U.S. adults don't know that. A recent survey published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that 46% of adults could not answer a basic question about the nature of dental sealants.
Dr. Roger P. Levin often reminds dentists that the staff they have now likely is not the staff they will retire with. Hiring the right staff is a process, he notes in his latest column. He details five reasons why some new hires do not work out and how to improve your hiring process.
Teledentistry at one time may have been thought of as exclusively a public health service. However, as the technology has evolved and the costs involved lowered, the opportunity for this service to add to your practice's revenue has grown. Part 2 of this series by Michael Ventriello focuses on how to promote the benefits to your current and prospective patients.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed a rule to lower the allowable level of fluoride in bottled water. The new level of 0.7 mg/L parts per million is the same as the standard set by the Department of Health and Human Services in 2015 for community water systems.
In the second part of her series on updates to the Codes on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT codes), Christine Alfano of Vyne details some of the changes to codes that deal with preventive, periodontal, and other treatments.
Emergency physicians overuse conventional CT scans to rule out dangerous dental infections in patients, a recent study has found. Is a set of standardized guidelines the answer to reducing unnecessary radiation exposure for these patients?
Porcelain laminate veneers can provide dependable, conservative treatment for anterior teeth with aesthetic problems. However, issues such as porcelain fracture and chipping can mar results, and long-term clinical data are limited. To learn more, researchers investigated the long-term performance of this restorative option.