Some TMDs improve with surgery but others don't
Patients with TMDs experience various clinical signs and symptoms related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) or related masticatory muscles. Among the symptoms of TMDs are facial pain, headache, earache, and joint pain, but patients may also experience limited jaw movement, jaw deviation on mouth opening, joint noise, jaw locking, and dislocation. Parafunctional habits are often seen with TMDs and can lead to traumatic occlusion and wear of the teeth. Although orthognathic surgery has been suggested as a treatment for patients with pre-existing TMDs and dentofacial deformities, the evidence shows both favorable and unfav...
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Current and future directions for amalgam management
Dental amalgam offers low cost, ease of use, and durability, which accounts for its popularity as a restorative material for more than 165 years. Its use is dropping based on its mercury content, which contributes to environmental pollution when the waste amalgam is discharged into wastewater. The elemental mercury can be transformed by bacteria into methyl mercury, which can be deposited in the flesh of fish, eventually being consumed by and causing toxic effects in humans. In 2013 the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) facilitated the passage of the Minamata treaty, which initiated a globally binding agreement t...
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Adjustments related to fasting during Ramadan
During Ramadan, millions of Muslims abstain from food and water from sunrise to sunset over the course of a month. This fast is undertaken to allow Muslims to recommit their attention to Allah, to build up their faith, and to practice self-discipline, sacrifice, and charity toward others. These fasts can last up to 18 hours and some are done in environments that are extremely hot and humid. With the large number of Muslim doctors today, medical professionals who fast are not uncommon. The effects of the Ramadan fast have been studied in athletes but little has been written regarding its effects on health care professionals...
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
It's not yet time to say flossing isn't needed
The effective daily removal of plaque has been shown to promote gingival/periodontal health and is recommended by oral health care providers. However, recent Cochrane Reviews (CRs) and meta-reviews have led the media and public to question whether flossing really is needed. The evidence on which these findings are based and that which supports flossing were evaluated to determine if it's premature to eliminate flossing from home oral health care. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Dental role in preventing childhood obesity
Childhood obesity is a major public health problem worldwide. Obesity and being overweight are risk factors for several chronic diseases that occur throughout the life span. Childhood obesity has also been associated with dental caries in several studies, perhaps through the common risk factors of consuming sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and frequent snacking on carbohydrate-rich foods. The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) has been instrumental in efforts to promote healthy weight for children. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Create an online presence to eliminate no-shows
People today turn to Google when they want to find out about nearly everything. In fact, 84% of consumers say they trust Google reviews as much as they trust reviews from people they know. They search for information that will help them decide if they would like to buy a new gadget, begin a new diet, take a trip, or start seeing a new dentist. Dentists spend a considerable amount of time, energy, resources, and money trying to attract new patients. When someone contacts the office to make an appointment but then doesn't show up, it causes problems for the dental practice. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Mail consistently to grow your practice
A quick review of the data collected by a dental practice marketing firm over the past 19 years yielded some interesting information regarding the marketing practices that have been adopted. The data were based on 659 dental clients who use direct mail for marketing. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
What we can learn from one another
Traditionally, mentorship relationships have been seen as a teacher and a student in a formal setting where the teacher guides the student into experiences that build expertise. In today's real world, the knowledge stream has become less rigid and more fluid. The transfer of information has become more symbiotic, where wisdom is shared between the parties. As a result, we learn from each other and prosper together. Dentistry has moved from rote memorization toward problem-based learning where this mentorship model can be especially helpful. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Shifting to a patient-centered practice model
It's difficult to consistently differentiate one dental practice from another based on price or technology, but practices can be differentiated by their commitment to a patient-centered focus of care. Rather than going the way of medical practitioners, who are often employees of a hospital or medical group rather than in a private office setting these days, dentists have the opportunity to create a practice that is focused on establishing a personal, trusting relationship with the patient. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Plan for retirement
Planning for retirement takes decades and should begin well before the retirement date. Among the components are a commitment to savings, a focus on reaching goals, and expert help in reaching goals as quickly as possible. In addition, any retirement plan must be flexible to manage changes in goals, life situations, the practice itself, and the larger economy. A recent survey revealed that about 35% of general dentists are delaying their retirement because of the economy. In addition, the dental economy that developed after the post-2008 recession includes greater levels of competition, fewer adult patients, and changes in...
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Impaired performance
What happens when an employee appears to be under the influence or intoxicated in the dental office? Knowing that the situation can affect the employee's ability to function, can contribute to accidents and patient injuries, and can increase practice liability, the dentist and the rest of the staff should be aware of the best course of action. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Worker classifications for associates
Associate dentists, retired dentists, and retired specialists often must face the situation of being misclassified according to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Labor (DOL), and individual states. The governing authorities believe they are losing revenue and these workers are being denied benefits as a result of misclassification. The auditing that goes into the mix as well as the various tests that determine worker classification have not clarified the situation. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
An application process to avoid embezzlers
Occupational (employee) fraud can be extremely expensive, so taking steps to avoid the problem as much as possible is a good investment. Nothing can absolutely guarantee that a dental practice will be free of embezzlers, but taking some time and investing a minimal amount of money can make it much less likely. Specific steps and projected cost estimates for each were described for a dental practice having 5 employees and thinking of hiring a sixth. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Respecting patient autonomy
What happens when your patient swallows a piece of wire or small nail or something else during an orthodontic procedure? In most cases, patients (or their parents) are advised that it will be eliminated from the system in 3 days without any intervention. We might offer x-rays, although that introduces an unnecessary radiation exposure for the patient. In most cases, the foreign body passes as predicted and there are no complications. What should we tell our patients so that they can make an informed choice, since there is no guarantee that everything will work out as expected and no problems will arise? The practitioner's ...
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Legal Considerations Source Type: research
Criminal assault charges against dentists
Legal systems are often set up in two divisions: criminal and civil law. Criminal law covers criminal acts, such as assault or murder, and civil law covers laws or processes applied to disputing parties, such as trespass or negligence. Each has different elements and standards. Today some dentists are being prosecuted under criminal law for assaulting patients when consent has not been obtained or is not sufficient to meet the requirements for informed consent. Understanding what assault means for dental practices and how dentists can defend themselves if so charged can be the difference between being found not guilty and ...
Source: Dental Abstracts - May 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Legal Considerations Source Type: research
