Call for dental insurance market transparency
Competition is a good thing, economists tell us. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) evaluates competition and has intervened in some health care markets to ensure the competition is not reduced to a degree that would adversely affect consumers. Less competition among health care providers leads to higher prices for patients, and less competition among insurers leads to higher premiums and lower provider payment rates. The problem with evaluating the effects of competition is the lack of transparency of the players in the dental insurance market. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Worldwide data on molar incisor hypomineralization
Molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH) is the term used to describe developmental defects of the enamel of one or more first permanent molars with or without incisor effects. It is associated with increased dental treatment needs, especially when the case is severe, which includes post-eruptive breakdown, increased porosity, and the presence of caries, pulpal inflammation, and hypersensitivity or pain. MIH may be associated with prenatal exposures to risk factors such as maternal smoking or illness, perinantal exposures such as premature birth or low birth weight, postnatal exposures such as early childhood illness or unde...
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Tailoring care for older adults
By 2050 it is estimated that 2.1 billion people will be age 60 years or older worldwide, which is double the current size of this population. The demands of older adults for housing, transportation, social protection, and health and well-being will increase as well, and governmental and health care organizations will need to be proactive in providing appropriate policies and programs. Oral health is a fundamental component of health and physical and mental well-being that will be influenced by the individual's experiences, perceptions, expectations, and ability to adapt to circumstances. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Robots can ’t really replace dentists
In China recently, a robot placed dental implants in a live human patient “without human assistance.” The procedure took less than 1 hour and is being heralded as the wave of the future where human dentists will be replaced by robots. Is that possible? (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Providing care for underserved children and adults
The Virtual Dental Home (VDH) concept was developed and implemented in San Francisco to address the dental needs of underserved populations. In this program, registered dental hygienists (RDHs) and dental assistants (RDAs) provide preventive and interim treatment services for elementary school students and adults in nursing homes and residential assisted living centers. These practitioners gather diagnostic data and post it to a website for review by a supervising ( “cloud”) dentist. That dentist decides on patient management, including referral if services that can only be provided by a dentist are needed. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
Sources of prosthodontic malpractice
Prosthodontic restoration accounts for about two thirds of most dentists' practice. This includes the delivery of crowns, fixed partial dentures (FPDs), and removable dentures in many cases. These restorations can have a dramatic impact on the patient's oral function, oral comfort, appearance, self-esteem, and social interactions. The ultimate goal of any prosthodontic treatment is to provide the patient with a quality experience and achieve overall satisfaction with the treatment. To achieve these goals requires careful planning, appropriate clinical skills, and adherence to technical standards and established guidelines ...
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Taking steps to be successful
After 20 years of collecting data, it's possible to see some of what helps private dental practice owners and their teams become successful. Advice was offered that has stood the test of time, is proven to be true, and will lead to success. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Learning marketing tools
Business consultants can help to move a dental practice forward, but there are some things that the dentist can do to become educated about marketing that will enhance the process. Understanding business marketing concepts helps dentists position their practices to differentiate themselves from the others and be more successful. A good starting point involves understanding some basic marketing concepts. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Adding millennials as new patients
Millennial is the term used to identify people born between 1983 and 1997 who tend to display traits defined as sheltered, confident, team-oriented, conventional, pressured, and believing themselves to be special. They tend to delay marriage, often change jobs, and have perhaps the lowest birth rate in history. They have commonly borrowed huge amounts of money to pay for their schooling and graduated with college degrees during the Great Recession. This eclectic generation is technologically savvy, oriented toward engagement, pragmatic, diverse, and progressive. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Planning to market the practice
It's not uncommon to hear that dental marketing doesn't work because it's too expensive, too hard to execute, or too difficult to measure. Sometimes these statements are true, but dental marketing can be not only effective but even fun and engaging as a way to grow a practice. The success of the effort is based on understanding why the marketing is being done, whether the staff is involved, whether new patient contacts are a priority, whether results are being tracked effectively, and how the website is helping to ensure good results. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Learning to manage your practice
Changes are occurring throughout the business world, and dentists often haven't been given the education and tools to navigate through these changes effectively. Most hope to eventually have the kind of practice and income they planned for in dental school, but few dentists are thriving when overall business survival is considered. With a few changes, dentists can learn to make sustainable changes and take charge of practice management. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Adapt or die
The principle of ‘evolve or die’ holds true in nearly every business field and dentistry is not immune. A highly visible example of what this principle means is what happened to Sears. It used to be a powerhouse mass retailer but along came Amazon.com and Sears watched their profits and stock prices tumble. Amaz on had carefully observed consumer trends, tastes, and desires, then used new technologies to deliver their products faster and cheaper to more consumers. Sears didn't evolve and died. If you don't stay ahead of the curve, you won't be able to survive. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Uniting the team
Especially with larger practices, staff members may tend to segregate themselves into the clinical or the administrative team. The result can be the development of factions that can cause negative consequences. A number of methods are available for building positive, cohesive teams. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Front Office Source Type: research
Acid intake, brushing behavior, and erosive tooth wear
The pain of dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is intense but transient and results from exposed dentin, usually as a result of the effects of chemical, thermal, tactile, or osmotic stimuli. Dietary acids can remove the smear layer, exposing dentinal tubules and creating the conditions for DH. Dietary acids are also associated with erosive tooth wear, and patients with dietary erosive tooth wear often complain of DH as well. However, a large proportion of those without wear also suffer from DH, so the relationship between these factors is uncertain. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Hands On Source Type: research
Diagnostic tests used by general dentists
Making an accurate diagnosis is essential to the process of treating a dental patient. Diagnosis is based on the history from the patient combined with a clinical examination and tests as indicated by the history and examination. Among the diagnostic testing done are radiographs, probing of teeth and restorations, periodontal probing, plaque scores, visual interpretation of clinical signs, and transillumination. Often the general dental practitioner has a specific routine he or she follows to streamline the diagnostic process while performing all the tests needed for an accurate diagnosis. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Hands On Source Type: research
