In a recent Slate article, a D.M.D candidate at the Harvard University medical and dental schools shares a compelling anecdote about the blurred line between dentistry and general medicine. Nisarg Patel was treating a patient’s fractured crown when he noticed the telltale signs of hyperplastic pulpitis, a rare inflammatory condition that causes pulp tissue to swell…
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Dental professionals have long used hook-shaped dental probes to measure the gaps between the gum and the tooth as a method of checking for signs of periodontal disease. But measuring pocket depth—a key step in the dental checkup—is not a hygienist favorite, as the sharp probes make patients uncomfortable and the process can be time-consuming…
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A recent article in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel discusses a new law passed in Wisconsin that allows dental hygienists to work independently, without the direct supervision of a dentist. Hygienists in Wisconsin were previously restricted from working on their own outside of a few limited scenarios. Supporters of the law cheered its passage and claimed…
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Last year, we discussed the rising trend of dental tourism, highlighted in Mexico’s Los Algodones. Sometimes referred to as “Molar City,” this small town near the U.S.-Mexico border is home to more than 600 dentists seeing patients in about 300 clinics. According to a recent video on NBC News, dental tourism to Los Algodones has…
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Last month, we discussed a new low-cost insurance plan proposed by Delta Dental of Massachusetts that could cut reimbursement rates by as much as 20-30%. The proposed plan has since been approved by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance (DOI) and is now open for enrollment. The new plan, called Total Choice PPO, is provided by…
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Operating a successful dental practice isn’t easy. That’s why we’ve used our industry knowledge and expertise in practice management to create an eBook that offers tips on how you can create and maintain a financially healthy and profitable dental operation. This installment focuses on a few key metrics that successful practices use to monitor cash…
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In 2015, the Sears family lost their 6-year-old boy during a routine dental procedure. The anesthesia administered to Caleb by the oral surgeon—who was also performing the extraction—interrupted the child’s breathing, raising questions about sedation protocol for children and prompting the family to lobby for tighter regulations. Oral surgeons are the only medical professionals authorized…
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The internet of money, as some call it, has gained prominence in the last few years with the rise of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum and blockchain networks. Some industries have embraced these new digital currencies for the extra security and transparency they provide. A recent article on Bitcoin Insider mentions Dentacoin, a blockchain…
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Many healthcare professionals are on the front lines in the fight against domestic violence. While examining patients, they are in a unique position to ask screening questions and detect evidence of physical or emotional trauma. Some medical professionals have even considered mandatory continuing education on how to spot the telltale signs of domestic violence. According…
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Delta Dental of Massachusetts, the state’s largest dental insurer, recently proposed a new low-cost plan that could cut reimbursement rates by as much as 20-30%. Many dentists in the Bay State are worried that the introduction of this plan will result in lower-quality care. Delta Dental of Massachusetts sought approval from the state Division of…
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