Thursday, October 31, 2019

Networking tips (for people who really don’t like to do it)

In this four-part video series about networking, Blake Brownell, director of strategic partnerships at Treloar & Heisel, Inc., introduces viewers to the notion that there may very well be a link between connecting with others and experiencing career satisfaction. By sharing his experiences on how networking has served other dental professionals throughout their careers, Blake provides a compelling reason for you to develop your “networking muscle.” Get access to video #1: The Link Between Networking and Career Success

In the second video, Brownell takes us through the mechanics of networking, including a step-by-step “recipe” for how to connect with complete strangers. He challenges viewers to try his method and gauge the results. Get access to video #2: A Recipe for Networking? Yes, Indeed!

In the third short and impactful video, we learn that good networking is absolutely intentional and that “random” encounters are rare. Those who network well go in with a plan. Brownell outlines some simple tips on how to convert your desire to network into a commitment to network, and then into an actual practice that is refined over time. Get access to video #3: What Good Follow Up Skills Look Like

In this final segment, Brownell presents on the merits of belonging to a community and how surrounding yourself with other people can enhance both your personal and professional growth. Discover the power of connecting with people outside your industry so that you can be even more successful within your industry. Get access to video #4: What Networks Are Right for You?

~Treloar & Heisel

This blog post was sponsored by Treloar & Heisel.

Getting to the bottom of chocolate's silky, smooth mouthfeel

Is the allure of chocolate its silky, smooth mouthfeel? Using a unique x-ray technique, researchers have determined that chocolate's microstructure affects how quickly or slowly chocolate melts in the mouth, contributing to the pleasing mouthfeel consumers crave.


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Provider type affects Medicaid opioid prescription rates

Dentists may be writing fewer opioid prescriptions for Medicaid patients, but recipients are still likely to get the drugs if emergency room practitioners or others treat their dental problems, according to a study in October issue of thethe Journal of the American Dental Association.


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What you and your patients need to know about benzocaine

Benzocaine has been in the news lately, and dental pharmacology expert Tom Viola, RPh, discusses the dangers that can be triggered by the anesthetic and also what dental professionals need to know and should be telling their patients about its usage.


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Teens' sugar, caffeine intakes rise as screen time spikes

Teens who spend much of the day watching TV or on their phones consume more sugared, caffeinated drinks, linking extended screen time with potential health problems, including obesity, caries, and diabetes, according to a new study published October 22 in PLOS One.


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Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Ask yourself these questions to rediscover your ‘why’

Starting something new is exciting. There’s a rush of adrenaline, motivation that makes you laser-focused on your goals, and the actions you take make you feel as if you are making great strides toward the finish line. The good news? These are some of the best feelings in the world, fostering productivity and adding meaning to your day. The bad news? This initial spark of excitement almost always extinguishes, and we are left to either give up or find some way to continue moving forward.

In these moments, you have to think about the reason you started in the first place. Knowing your “why” can help you persevere during these low periods. Here are some questions you can ask yourself to rediscover this:

  • What drew me to the dental field?
  • What challenges me in a good way?
  • What excites me about the dental profession?
  • What gets me through my bad days?
  • What allows me to recognize my good days?

In dental school, going into D1 year elicits pride. It is a time of celebration and recognition of previous accomplishments. Hard work and long hours brought you here, and you can finally put the anxiety and stress from the application cycle behind you. You’ve made it! Your dental career is finally starting.

This sense of pride, excitement and nervousness initially might motivate a first-year dental student, but sooner or later, the “honeymoon period” comes to an end. You may find yourself going through the motions, avoiding studying or perhaps questioning if you made the right career choice. Is the suffering going to pay off?

There is a reason you went to dental school, but it could get lost among the hundreds of hours in the pre-clinic, endless amounts of lab work or time spent perfecting your hand skills. For example, I am currently in my D2 year, and I was struggling with procrastination and keeping a positive mindset. With a difficult course load, terribly long days, upcoming Part I of boards and competencies — all with no break in sight — I felt stagnant and overwhelmed.

On top of that, as a requirement for one of our classes, we have to assist D3 and D4 students in the clinic. At first, this felt like a waste of time. I was reluctant. After all, there wasn’t enough time to get all of my own work and studying done. However, it was this experience that helped me reclaim my motivation.

The patient arrived for their occlusal wax rim try-in appointment and to pick the color, size and shape of their new denture teeth. This was just one out of a long series of appointments for this patient receiving a maxillary denture and an implant mandibular denture. While the D4 student collaborated with the clinic director, I talked with the patient, mostly apologizing that appointments at the school clinic took so long since we are required to have each step approved by a clinic instructor. He said he didn’t mind; he was just excited about being one step closer to a new smile.

We talked about how he wasn’t happy with the shape and color of his old denture, and he said to me, “I’m so grateful for the work you students are able to provide here.” In this moment, I rediscovered my why. I started dental school to form meaningful relationships with patients and deliver the best treatment I can to make them happy and confident.

While it’s easy to start something new, it is hard to see that same thing through to the end and inevitable that you are going to lose motivation along the way. There will be bad days that make you feel unwilling or unable to continue, but when those thoughts creep in, remind yourself of your why.

For me, this meant a break from working on plastic heads and teeth, and studying into the early hours of the morning. I needed patient interaction and to see the clinical benefits of providing dental treatment to real people. I needed to be reminded of what I am working toward. Seeing patients’ reactions and appreciation of treatment is moving, and it motivates me to work hard because I want to become the best provider I can be.

The path to “why” is different for everyone. Take your time when you need to rediscover this for yourself. There is no hurry because it is better to learn to rest, not to quit, when times get tough. So here’s to making the most of our time in dental school and to living more enjoyable and exciting days — days that remind us of our future in the dental profession.

~ Kristine Byrum, Ohio ’22

48 million U.S. adults skip needed dental care

About 1 in 5 working-age adults in the U.S. skip needed dental care each year, according to data from the ADA Health Policy Institute. This amounts to nearly 48 million adults who delay or forgo dental care, often for financial reasons.


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Patient challenges dentist's $4M suit against her for bad reviews

A woman wants an Illinois court to dismiss a multimillion-dollar lawsuit that a dentist filed against her, claiming she wrote hundreds of negative online reviews and made false statements that have destroyed his reputation, according to court records.


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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Anticancer agent shows promise for treating perio disease

A natural plant compound with anticancer properties may one day help treat periodontal disease, according to a study published on October 26 in BMC Oral Health. The authors explored the ways the compound, known as luteolin, could boost oral health.


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What you need to know about cyberattacks and your dental practice

Hackers are getting more sophisticated, and ransomware has become the most common type of cyberattack. While you cannot totally prevent an attack, you can take some preventive steps to ensure a quick response and recovery to an attack. Cybersecurity and privacy expert Debi Carr discusses the ways you can protect your practice and your data.


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Dentist arrested for trying to entice minor into sex meetup

A Connecticut dentist has been arrested on charges of trying to entice someone he met on the internet who he believed to be a 15-year-old girl into having sex, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.


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Monday, October 28, 2019

Consuming sweet, acidic drinks linked to obesity, tooth wear

Increased consumption of sugary soft drinks may be a leading cause of tooth enamel and dentine erosion in obese patients, and excessive body fat also is linked with tooth wear, according to a study published October 28 in Oral Clinical Investigations.


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3 simple steps to full-arch temporaries

Dr. David Rice of IgniteDDS shares his knowledge on building full-arch temporary restorations. He describes three key steps and offers simple tips to make amazing restorations for your patients.


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Insights on becoming an ASDA national leader

Are you interested in applying for an ASDA national leadership position? Do you have questions about what council work entails? Here, four national leaders answer questions about what it’s like serving at the national leadership level.

Why did you apply for a national ASDA position? How would you describe the application process?

Joell Chen, Roseman ’21, Council on Professional Issues Associate: I served as the district 10 chair on communications during my D2 year and was inspired to continue my ASDA involvement on the national level. The application process was pretty straightforward. It’s all online and includes a few short answer responses and you have to include your current CV. I also spoke to previous national ASDA leaders at my school to hear what their day-to-day involvement actually looked like.

Janae Momchilovich, Marquette ’21, Council on Advocacy Legislative Coordinator, Districts 6-7: I wanted to apply for a national position because I caught ASDA Fever at my chapter and wanted to make a bigger impact within ASDA. The application process was pretty streamlined. The most difficult part was putting together my CV, but thanks to breakout sessions at NLC, I had some guidance! The application was a great opportunity to showcase my passion for the position I was applying for.

Stephanie Sforza, Ohio State ’20, Council on Membership Chair: I was interested in a national ASDA position after my friend and district trustee suggested I apply. I had served in various roles at the local and district levels in previous years and was excited about using what I gained from my experience in those positions to have an even greater impact. The application process seemed daunting at first, but it was easier than expected once I got started! 

Callista Schulenberg, LECOM ’22, Editorial Board Electronic Editor: I found out about the editorial board and national ASDA leadership positions during NLC in 2018 when I was a first-year. My chapter president introduced me to Kai Huang, who was our district 5 trustee at the time, and we talked about writing and a blog project I have been running in my free time since undergrad. He encouraged me to apply to the ASDA Editorial Board, and the rest was history! 

Why did you choose your specific leadership position?

Joell: The ASDA Council on Professional Issues’ mission statement addresses a number of topics I find the most engaging as a current student. These include community service, ethics, diversity and inclusion. As a council associate, I love helping build initiatives that enrich people’s dental school experiences!

Janae: I chose my specific position because I have always had an interest in advocacy. It’s so important to stay up-to-date on the topics relevant to dentistry that are brought up in the political world. Being part of the ASDA Council on Advocacy allows me to be at the front lines of newly released legislation and to stay active in shaping the future of dentistry.

Stephanie: The ASDA Council on Membership was appealing to me mostly because of the work the executive team and I had done at Ohio State the prior year to ramp up membership and engagement at our non-auto-enroll chapter. I found that I loved sharing my “why ASDA” story and helping other dental students see the value of an ASDA membership.

Callista: I chose to apply to the ASDA Editorial Board because I have loved the written word since I could read and hold a pencil (or I guess it was a crayon!) When I found out about the opportunity to combine my love for dentistry and writing, I knew I had stumbled across something truly special. 

How has your position enriched your life?

Joell: If you ask any national leader, he or she will likely list community as one of the best aspects of leadership. We have a unique opportunity to partner and make connections across the country. Dental school can sometimes make me focus on myself more than I realize, but national ASDA brings me a broader perspective on issues that affect our generation of students. 

Janae: Aside from learning more about advocacy, I have learned about being a leader. Since I am overseeing two districts, I have had to become the contact point for various leaders. Managing the different responsibilities between being a chapter leader, a national leader and a dental student has also helped me manage my time and improve my communication skills. Having a national position also has allowed me to increase my networking circle, thus increasing my ASDA Fever and making me that much more excited to have dentistry as my future career.

Stephanie: The two greatest things I’ve received through this position are the incredible people that I’ve met and the opportunity to stretch myself further as a leader. 

Callista: Being an electronic editor has not only helped me with my own writing and ability to edit professionally, but it has allowed me to learn how the editorial and publication process works for a national organization such as ASDA. Each day, I look forward to working with student authors from all over the country. Reading their stories and learning about their perspectives is truly an honor that I won’t ever take for granted. I love working for ASDA Blog, and this year is one I will remember and look back on fondly for the rest of my life! 

Applications for the 2020-21 national ASDA leadership cycle are now open. Deadline for submissions is Dec. 15.

~Shilpa Kudva, Texas A&M ’21

Do's and don'ts for excellent customer service

Patients place premium value on the relationships that they have with their doctor and the dental team. And if you place premium value on keeping those relationships strong with excellent customer service, your practice will be successful, Dr. Roger P. Levin advises in his latest Practice Success tip.


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The value in blogging for your practice website

At one time, blogging was for fashion mavens and recipe creators, but that time is in the past. In today's world, if your small business does not have a strong blogging platform, you are leaving money on the table, Dr. Mikaeya Kalantari writes. She highlights four key benefits of blogging that dental practice owners should consider.


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Friday, October 25, 2019

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Dentist, assistant sued for allegedly removing teeth without consent

An Illinois woman who claims to have debilitating health conditions as a result of four wisdom teeth being removed without her consent has filed a lawsuit against the dentist and another person involved in the procedure, according to news reports.


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Why dentists need to stop treating composite like amalgam

Dr. David Rice of IgniteDDS talks about a game-changing way of working with composite in the dental practice. He also discusses how Bioclear and 3M are working together on this project.


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3 skills every dental assistant should have

Dental assistants are often the unsung heroes of a practice. Those who are empowered and engaged every day can make a difference in a practice's bottom line and daily operations. Elevating three key skills in these team members will show them you are invested in them as people and as critical members of the success of your business.


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Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Ex-Colgate researcher admits to stealing toothpaste recipes

A former research technician and scientist for Colgate-Palmolive has admitted to stealing proprietary toothpaste formulas so that he could make and sell oral care products under a business he created overseas.


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Analogies as an analgesic: Making painful conversations more comfortable

An analogy takes an unfamiliar concept in our world and compares it to something familiar. What are some ways we can use this to make dentistry more understandable for our patients? Can using analogies play an important role in achieving this goal?

A good dentist understands complex dental terminology and concepts in order to provide effective clinical care. A great dentist, however, can help their patients understand the importance of dental concepts in order to achieve treatment goals. Analogies are a communication technique that can be used to do this.

Patients encounter a lot of concepts and treatment plan options that are foreign to them, but if we challenge ourselves to strengthen our analogical instincts, or our ability to see likeness in things that are seemingly unalike, we have the capacity to shape how our patients respond to challenges and opportunities. We can increase case acceptance and improve patient experience using analogies to shape our patients’ relationship with dental information. We want these relationships to be friendly and approachable, instead of complicated or filled with fear.

As we all know, there are some forms of treatment that make patients cringe at the thought of them, so it is up to us to alleviate their concerns. Below are a few examples of how analogies can be used to discuss treatments and diagnostic tools that may confuse the everyday patient.

Scaling and root planing (SRP)

We must ensure our patients, especially those with active periodontal disease, understand the difference between a prophy and SRP. To help bridge the gap (minor pun intended) for patients who may not understand their need for an SRP, inform them that their state of disease is causing deeper pocketing in their gums than they realize. As such, you could say: “Completing an ordinary cleaning on periodontally involved teeth such as yours would be like only washing the top layer of clothes in a constantly full laundry basket; all the other layers of clothes would never get cleaned.”

This analogy demonstrates that their periodontal issue would not be fully addressed if inadequate treatment was rendered.  

Dentures

Making the transition into removable dentures presents challenges for both the patient and the dentist. It is imperative to continuously set and reinforce patient expectations before, during and after denture delivery to guide the patient to a satisfactory outcome. If patients believe they will be able to eat and function exactly as they did when they had their natural teeth, you are likely to be on shaky ground with respect to outcome expectations.

Analogies can be used to help guide patient expectations in a manner that is friendly and non-threatening. For instance, you could say: “Chewing is like running a marathon. Doing it with your natural teeth is like wearing running shoes. With dentures, it’s like wearing flip-flops.”

Using this language, a patient can guess that natural teeth have a “competitive advantage” and are inherently better. They also can deduce that dentures, like flip-flops, are not as stable and have many limitations.

Radiographs

There are many articles out there that raise concerns about the association between dental X-rays and cancer. And you can bet that your patients have done their fair share of internet searching about it. It is your job to alleviate their fears and address their concerns.

Use analogies to frame their perspective by saying: “The amount of radiation exposure you receive from this dental X-ray is equivalent to one grain of sand in a sandbox. The rest of the sand represents the natural background radiation we all receive on a daily basis.” In this case, it is important to acknowledge their concerns respectfully and discuss risks and benefits, but also put the risks into perspective.

Analogies bridge the knowledge gap for patients, help set expectations, alleviate fears and make dentistry more user-friendly. These are just a few examples that can be used to address common concerns that patients have pertaining to specific procedures and treatment strategies. Bolster your analogical instincts to improve your patients’ experiences and make difficult conversations more personable.

~Rachel Bryant, Midwestern-Arizona ’21, Chapter President

Bad teeth cost Californians jobs, self-confidence

Can bad teeth hinder your self-confidence and chances at a new job? Many low-income Californians say yes. A news article recently explored the difficulty some California residents encounter when trying to get a functional smile.


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Got a good attitude? Patients' outcome views colored by cues

Doctors who appeared empathetic and conveyed high expectations of treatment success during pain procedures influenced the way patients felt about outcomes in a new study, published October 21 in Nature Human Behaviour.


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Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Periodontist must pay $1.3M in malpractice case

A periodontist must pay approximately $1.3 million in a malpractice case in which a procedure to extract a molar in preparation for an implant placement resulted in bone and nerve damage, according to a judgment filed in a New Jersey court.


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Taking advantage of free CE

About five years ago, I had just graduated from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine and was in my first months of residency. As I look back now, I wish I would have taken more advantage of some of the free resources at my fingertips such as ADA CE Online. Before and after graduation, these courses helped me build my career. Right now you are busy with school, and there are many days of information overload, but here are three good reasons to check out ADA CE Online.

1. Courses fit your needs and your life. I opened a practice right out of residency, so practice management courses were vital in helping me learn more about the business of dentistry. Being able to take courses on my schedule and to hit pause and replay is so convenient.

2. ADA CE Online is free for dental students. Log on to ADACEOnline.org and use promo code STUDENT to start exploring courses. As you get closer to graduation, you may find that clinical CE will help you expand your skill set and be more prepared for certain procedures once you start to practice. Depending on your career path, you may also find the ADA’s leadership, practice management or communications courses helpful in preparing you for what’s next.

3. Learning continues long after graduation. There was so much I had to learn in those first few years as a new dentist. Learning from experienced dentists who used examples from their practices also provided me a little boost of confidence. It’s been fun and rewarding to see my practice grow.

Whether you’re planning to open a practice or work for one after graduation, I guarantee that increasing your knowledge through online continuing education will help. ADA CE Online is entirely free for dental students with the code STUDENT, so go ahead and take advantage.

~Dr. Lauren Vitkus, Buffalo ’14, Private Practice

This blog post was sponsored by the American Dental Association.

Monday, October 21, 2019

Teledentistry, SmileDirectClub stay in spotlight for good, bad

Fresh off its filing of a harassment lawsuit against the Dental Board of California, SmileDirectClub finds itself thrust in the news again with investigations into the way it markets it clear aligners and moves to further expand into another country overseas.


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Indiana dental students partner with VA Medical Center

This past spring, Indiana University School of Dentistry’s ASDA chapter was awarded one of the Dentistry in the Community Grants presented by Colgate. Our goal was to create a new event and partnership, targeting our local veteran population.

The Richard L. Roudebush VA Medical Center is a short walk away from our dental school. It serves the veterans of Indianapolis, receives referrals from VA facilities across the state and operates three Community-Based Outpatient Clinics. The veteran population of Indiana experiences barriers to care due to lack of transportation, affordability and limited access to dental providers.

Our event provided attendees with an interactive luncheon that included Colgate oral health care products, oral health education, resources our school offers veteran patients and one-on-one connections with dental student volunteers. 

To execute the event, we organized a team of dental students, alongside Dr. Jenna Voegele as our primary contact at the VA Medical Center and Dr. Diane Buyer as our featured guest speaker. Having a team of dental students there was critical. Each volunteer talked with different veterans, giving helpful information about our school’s resources. For example, we have a specific veterans’ program that provides basic surgical, restorative and prosthetic treatment for those who have Honorably Discharged status and low income. 

Working with Dr. Voegele at the VA was vital in getting our event off the ground, as we had to reserve space at the hospital, get contact information for advertising through the VA and complete required paperwork. Dr. Buyer presented interactive content via her American Dental Association-recognized campaign “Drinks Destroy Teeth.” We used the “Drinks Destroy Teeth” app to see how much sugar is in different beverages and the pH levels of various drinks. Additionally, at each table, we displayed bottles with corresponding sugar amounts, such as Gatorade, coke and root beer. We also set up eggs soaked in different drinks to show the effects on enamel.

For me, one of the coolest aspects of an event like this is seeing the potential it has to grow in the future. Anytime an event occurs for the first time, there are always obstacles such as advertising to a new population, budgeting, and general interest from volunteers and attendees. Thanks to the support of Colgate and ASDA, we established a partnership and successful first event with the veterans in our community. It is my goal to see more events happen in the future with our VA Medical Center, providing different guest speakers and lecture topics.

~Sydney Twiggs, Indiana ’21