Dentists' role in childhood obesity
Overweight and obesity are associated with and serve as risk factors for several chronic diseases over the course of a person's lifetime. Childhood obesity is currently a major public health problem worldwide. It is associated with dental caries in several studies, with a possible explanation centering on the consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and frequent snacking on carbohydrate-rich foods as common risk factors for both disorders. The efforts to promote healthy weight in children were recently considered at the Healthy Futures: Engaging the Oral Health Community in Childhood Obesity Prevention National Conf...
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Edentulism among older adults in China, India, Ghana, and South Africa
Although the disability adjusted life-years (DALYs) for complete tooth loss (edentulism) have decreased worldwide, the profile of edentulism differs between and within countries. In particular, the evidence of oral health, as seen in edentulism rates, in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is limited. Another worldwide trend is the increase in the number of people age 65 years and older. Between 2015 and 2050, it is expected that the annual increase in this population will be 27.1 million. Along with this increase in the older adult population will be an increased burden of chronic periodontal and other noncommunicabl...
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Antibiotic uses in endodontic infections
Antibiotic resistance occurs when a microorganism tolerates the actions of an antibiotic that was initially effective for the treatment of infections caused by that microorganism. Some bacteria are becoming resistant to the antibiotics now used. Because dentists prescribe about 10% of the antibiotics used worldwide, their impact on antibiotic resistance can be considerable. Recent evidence indicates that 40% of general dental practitioners prescribe antibiotics 3 times a week and 15% prescribe them daily. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Fewer dental practice owners —is that good or bad?
At this point in history, less than 50% of physicians own their own private practice. Most work as employee doctors and focus on patient care rather than the business side of medicine. In dentistry, however, 80% of dentists in private practice are owners, but the trend is toward a slow decline in the numbers of dentist-owners (Figure). At this pace, by 2090, dentistry will also have less than 50% dentist-owners. A view of the implications of this decline in practice ownership and the probable future for dentistry was offered. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Opening doors for a diverse dental workforce
Diversity is a concern throughout the US workforce, including health care, and is a significant national problem. Efforts to include underrepresented minority (URM) persons in dentistry have been evaluated, noting the demographics of the workforce in relation to those of the nation; the past and current programs to address the diversity problem; differences within the URM groups themselves and other barriers to success; and recommendations regarding how to address the challenges of creating a more diverse dentistry workforce profile. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Compliance for your dental website
Chances are your website is violating the American with Disabilities Act (ADA) right now. Title III of the ADA provides for people with disabilities to have equal access to buildings, public restrooms, businesses, etc. A recent ruling and demonstration by the Department of Justice say that the law applies directly to the Internet and websites. These entities must be in compliance or you can be sued. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Joining a nontraditional group practice
Traditional group practices usually consist of 1 or 2 primary owners and 2 or 3 co-owner specialists or dentists. Eventually the younger of the primary owners buys out the older one. Joining such a group practice has been the usual course for dentists, but nontraditional groups are now being formed. Whether dentists or dental specialists should form or join group practices is a major decision and should be based on solid information and done for the right reasons. Determining the right reasons demands that the dentist or specialist carefully consider his or her practice vision and whether it fits with the group practice vi...
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Associate buy-in and owner buy-out
Once the participants in a group practice have determined what business and tax structure is appropriate for that entity, the parties need to decide a few more things. Specifically, group practices need to determine (1) if any associate is ready for and can pay for the buy-in and (2) if the buy-sell agreements they craft consider all events that would trigger a buy-out. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Valuing the dental staff
One of the simplest ways to ensure the dental office remains a place where staff members like to be and to develop a deep sense of commitment on their part is to create an environment where they know they are valued. This environment is developed when the dentist creates a culture that conveys that message to each employee each day. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Avoiding the heartbreak of embezzlement
Peculation is the stealing or dishonest taking of money, especially public funds or something entrusted to one's care. Essentially, it is embezzling and it's a common problem in dental offices. Statistics for all small businesses indicate that 43% to 47% of these offices are being embezzled from. The who, why, and how to prevent peculation are something every dentist should know. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Critically examine your facility and communication skills
It's easy to become so focused on caring for patients that you overlook how your facility looks to them or you don't update your communication strategies to keep these encounters fresh and appealing. It's wise to take a look at your dental practice through the eyes of a patient, especially the facility itself and the way the staff interacts with patients. Taking time to view things through a patient's eyes can help to reveal areas that need some work. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Seller precautions in corporate offers
Dentists seeking to sell their practice to a corporate entity should assess the offer from that entity to ensure that they understand what is involved. The recommended steps to achieve this include (1) recognizing the value of the practice, (2) knowing the buyer, (3) understanding the goals of the buyer, (4) clarifying when and how payment will be made, and (5) acknowledging the risk involved. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Learn to use social media sites
The social media scene isn't going to go away so dentists need to learn how to use it effectively. Most of us didn't grow up knowing how to share daily experiences, moods, or meals on these sites and we can feel intimidated by the technology. With the right knowledge, it's possible to master most popular social networking sites so you can leverage this as a tool to reach patients, offer promotions, boost production, and gain community support. With an understanding of what to do and what not to do, it's possible to use social media as an effective marketing tool. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Changing patient oral health behaviors
Prevention is a central tenet of the minimally invasive dentistry approach and relies on patients to take steps to ensure the components of their oral health are well supported (Box 1). The dental professional has the role of encouraging patients to engage in oral health −related behavior by putting specific behavior change techniques into action. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Minimally Invasive Dentistry Source Type: research
Standardizing care of caries
Dental caries is the most prevalent preventable disease in the world. How the oral health care profession manages this disease is the key to reducing this global health burden. Recommendations for management are complicated by the use of different terms that describe the same or similar management strategies and by the gap between research findings and clinical implementation. The International Caries Consensus Collaboration (ICCC) was established to develop expert consensus for recommendations using standardized terminology. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - March 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Minimally Invasive Dentistry Source Type: research
