TDuncan
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Friday, June 05, 2009
My business partner Christine Taxin and I are proud to announce the debut issue of our monthly newsletter, The Ultimate Office Planner. We both have assistant, receptionist and managerial experience and decided over a year ago that we would share our biggest ideas with team members. And not just the great ideas – we wanted to share some of the mistakes we’ve made and how you can avoid the same pitfalls.
The business of dentistry is not an easy one – you have to keep up with insurance, regulations like Red Flags, HR issues and, oh yes – be a leader as well. Don’t forget to market your practice too. Can you see how some of this can slip through the cracks? That’s why we created the Planner – to give the doctor and team members a monthly guidebook so it’s not so overwhelming.
The debut issue in PDF format is available for free by clicking here link. We’re offering a year of monthly newsletters for $129. Keep in mind that you’ll receive a new Planner every month full of business, marketing and insurance tips. Email me for information or send in the completed last page of the planner for a yearly subscription.
TDuncan
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Tuesday, April 07, 2009
I love posting about this company - very nice customer service and beautiful product design. Check them out!
JDentalCare has designed and developed JDMultiScraper®, a manual device that provides autologous bone for grafts around dental implants and in periodontal defects.It's an autoclavable device and it has an interchangeable blade that can be used for many surgeries and easily replaced when it loses its cutting performance. Additionally, it increases the effectiveness of regenerative procedures in oral and periodontal surgery, reduces cost by avoiding the use of bone substitutes, and allows a minimally invasive treatment.
For more information please visit www.jdentalcare.com
TDuncan
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Thursday, April 02, 2009
Three students at the University of Glasgow have received the Dental Innovation Technology Ideas Award. Congratulations to Pearse Hannigan, David Lagan and Adam Gray...they designed a game for the Wii that will enable the gamer to practice their dental skills via Wiimote. This is great!
Please tell me someone is designing a forceps attachment. Or a sinus lift attachment. I understand that their intention is to help dental students practice their skills but I would love to do a ridge augmentation from my couch. Wouldn’t everyone??
Here's the whole story link
TDuncan
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Thursday, March 19, 2009
Dr. Jason Hales writes about a recent lecture he attended on The Evolution of Implant Success - good reading, as usual!
Here it is:
"The 7th Annual Spring into Dentistry seminar was held on March 6th, 2009 in Mesa, AZ. The guest lecturer was Dr. Robert London of Seattle, Washington. Dr. London is currently a clinical professor and director of graduate periodontics at the University of Washington. Prior to his work at UW, Dr. London was director of graduate periodontics at NOVA Southeastern and at University of Southern California.
Dr. London's presentation was entitled, "Enhancing Dental Outcomes".
While a good portion of his presentation had to do with implant treatment planning and preparation of implant sites, he made some comments that I found fascinating.
He used an analogy of a pendulum to describe the acceptance of dental implants into mainstream dentistry. Early on, there was some resistance to accepting them into everyday practice. Like the swinging of a pendulum, treatment with dental implants then became the solution to every situation. Now that the pendulum has swung to both extremes, we are now hopefully settling somewhere in the middle.
He also discussed the changing definition of success with implants. Early on, successful implant therapy meant osseointegration. If the implant was not loose, it was considered a success. In endodontics, success has always been defined very strictly as the complete resolution of signs and symptoms and complete healing of bone. With two such different definitions of success, it is no wonder that there has been misinterpretation regarding the treatment outcomes of the two different treatments.
Dr. London pointed out that what was once considered a successful implant (osseointegration alone) may no longer be an acceptable treatment outcome. Successful implant therapy now requires getting the implant to integrate in the right position, where it can support a prosthesis and look like a natural tooth. This is a major difference from simple osseointegration.
Dr. London stressed how important it was to have an interdisciplinary approach to dental treatment so all specialties are included in the best treatment approach for each patient.
We were pleased to have Dr. London come and share some of his expertise regarding periodontal bone grafting and implant treatment. We hope that the balanced approach to endodontics and implants which he described continues to gain momentum."
TDuncan
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Friday, March 06, 2009
Dental work, that is. The Chicago Dental Society surveyed their dentists and more than 60% responded that their patients were putting off work. I hear it from all over - that the offices are slower but still busy. Compared to the auto and banking industries, our industry seems to be relatively safe. Let’s hope it stays that way.
Click here link to read about the survey.
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 05, 2009
If you plan to attend the Chicago Midwinter Meeting this year, swing by booth #865 to see the latest oral cancer screening device.
From the press release:
Houston-based Trimira LLC has introduced Identafi 3000, a small, cordless, handheld device that can detect oral cancer. The device uses a three-wavelength optical illumination and visualization system to allow dental professionals to catch early cancers not visible to the naked eye. This effective and affordable device will aid in early detection of oral cancer.
Identafi 3000 uses white, violet, and amber wavelengths of light to identify abnormal tissue with more accuracy than the single color approaches currently on the market. Biochemical changes can be monitored with fluorescence, while morphological changes can be monitored with reflectance.
The ability to read metabolic and physiologic differences makes it easier to distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue. The combined system of fluorescence and reflectance uses the body’s natural tissue properties as an adjunctive tool for oral mucosal examination.
Want complete details? Click here link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, January 27, 2009
One of the pieces of information I recommend that offices collect is your patient’s email address. I think our office started collecting those over nine years ago. The first few patients that I emailed were the patients I liked that I knew wouldn’t go crazy on me. I used my personal email address since we didn’t have an office website yet. Yes - it was that long ago! And no way would I give out my personal email address now. But back then I was so eager to incorporate technology into the office that I didn’t mind sacrificing a little privacy.
So back to the point of this story. In a previous post I told you that were using some new programs this year. On Friday we had our two hour training session on using Sesame Communication’s patient communication suite. Our trainer, James, was so fun to talk with and walked us through every bit of our customization. I’m very proud because when he saw how many emails we had on file (1799, thank you very much!) he commented that he was pretty impressed with it. My admin partner Jean and I just smiled. Keeping those emails updated is hard work but it’s necessary.
We make a large amount of appointments online. Many of our recalls are made using email communications and billing inquiries are routinely fielded via email. We also have a few patients that only want their statements or receipts via email. Fine - no problem! Sesame fits in perfectly with our vision of creating a patient community. We sent out the welcome email on Friday and since then I’ve received about 4 requests from patients that “have meant to call to schedule.” I’m wondering how many we’ll get when the Monday morning crowd checks their email.
TDuncan
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Thursday, January 08, 2009
My long-time dental office is ready to take on some new changes in the next few months. We’re switching electronic claims processors and web site companies. I’m going to blog about both transitions in case anyone out there is considering similar changes.
First the electronic claim change. I’ve heard good things about Apex EDI in the last few months - particularly how seamlessly they handle the submission of medical as well as dental claims. Since our office provides procedures that can be billed medically, I appreciate this feature. The company we previously used charged a low monthly fee (for just dental) but always had bugs and issues with attachments. I can’t count how many times I’ve had to resubmit claims and then hear again “well - it should have gone through” from the claim company. So I’m keeping a close eye on my attachments and need for resubmission. I’m also going to be able to send electronic statements to our patients. Not too shabby.
We’re also having a custom web site built by Sesame Communications. Right now we have a template site which really doesn’t bother me but it does not have any of the interactivity that Sesame features. I met them when I attended the annual meeting of the Academy of Dental Management Consultants. After a demo and some googling of the company, I decided to bring it to my dentist and he agreed to make the change.
Here’s what I like: patients can create and log in to their accounts to view (not change) balances, scheduled appointments and their Invisalign Clin Check. They integrate with our practice management software to provide this information on our web site. I questioned the security and they assured me that their site was safer than online banking (they have information to back that up). I firmly believe that a strong web presence is essential for any dental practice and Sesame’s tools fit in perfectly with how we envision patient interaction.
My web site for Odyssey Management link also needs a makeover so they’re going to help me with that too. 2009 is definitely going to be a year of change. I’ll keep you updated on how smoothly it all goes.
Visit Apex EDI link or Sesame Communications link
TDuncan
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Saturday, December 27, 2008
Researchers have found a way to polish a tooth with nanosized particles that will help a tooth “repel” bacteria. This is just cool on so many levels. We’re in the business of health so preventive measures are always preferred to actually treating disease. Think about treating patients with no access to regular care - low income and the elderly, for example. Treat them until their mouths are healthy and apply this “nano-shield.” More work needs to be done to bring this technology to market but it’s interesting to think where we’ll be in the next few years. Risk assessment, genetic testing, everything digital … this is one dynamic industry.
Click here link to read an abstract of the article.
TDuncan
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Monday, December 22, 2008
Recently I wrote about the rising cost of health care link and the effect it could have on dental insurance spending. I suggested asking your patient to put you in touch with their human resources director. Do not - I repeat Do Not - attempt this conversation unless you have been dealing with dental insurance for many years. Newbie managers and insurance coordinators will say something wrong - dental benefits are not simple. You have the HR manager on the phone - then what?
Ask the person if you can be of any help in deciphering the benefits booklets. Let them know about your own experiences with various plans. This is feedback they usually do not hear. And be careful to not criticize the plan or company. Here’s the bottom line - talking about the evil PPO plan is not going to help your cause and will ensure that your views are taken with a grain of salt. Be a resource - not a bitter dental office. If you do speak negatively about a plan, be specific - not general. It will give you credibility. There are good insurance plans out there - talk about those. Here’s my verbiage when asked about Good Acme Dental Plan and Bad Acme Dental:
“We’ve experienced slow payment with Bad Acme”
“Good Acme is easy to work with- quick turnaround time”
“The benefits of this plan could add to the out of pocket costs to your patients.”
“I’m surprised that implants are not covered - they are considered to be the standard of care for tooth replacement”
“The maximum on this plan is better than usual”
Urge them to add coverage for procedures that your office believes to be necessary. Implant coverage can be added at minimal change to the rate. So can some oral cancer screenings.
The point is that you should be up front with your advice. If the plan stinks, it stinks. Help them pick a new one. If the plan is excellent, tell them so they can maintain the same level of benefits at the next renewal period. Good communication could also mean the HR contact will remember your name and hopefully refer you to new hires or even recommend you on the company intranet.
TDuncan
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Monday, December 22, 2008
The Wall Street Journal’s Health Blog link had a cringe-inducing story about the creeping cost of health care. It estimated that by 2016 the average yearly health care premium could be as high as $24,000. That equals 45% of median household income. Right now much of that cost is borne by employers. The article also estimated that copayments could go up to $30 - that’s my copayment now. Hopefully it won’t go up anymore. But $30 is still better than $200-300 for an office visit.
On the dental side, we have to keep in mind that employers sign up for dental coverage for their employees when they sign up for medical coverage. That’s how it works most of the time. So it’s not a stretch to imagine that as employers seek lower cost coverage (read: higher deductible, higher copayments, more exclusionary clauses) it could trickle down into our field. We have already had a few patients in our practice tell us that their employer is not continuing with dental and vision care for 2009. These patients are burning through their 2008 maximum to get the work done.
Ask your patients how their plans will be designed next year. Most will respond with “I really don’t know.” This is when you say:
“Have your HR person call me with any questions - I’m happy to help.”
In a future post I’ll post about what to say to the HR manager. Many of you have been in this situation and realize the importance of talking to this person. Back to the WSJ blog entry - become healthy now. Seems like bad health in 2016 will break the bank.
TDuncan
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Friday, December 12, 2008
Imagine a titanium implant that is twice as strong as what’s on the market today. That’s the technology that Manhattan Scientifics received FDA approval for yesterday. Their studies show that bone integrates with their product up to 20 times faster than current products. Decreased healing time and more predictable results? Sounds like a product that implant companies will look into.
I can see the brochures now…Nanoplant. Nanodent. Nanoconnect. Hey - you read it here first.
Click link to read the press release about the FDA approval
Click link to read the announcement of the purchase of Metallicum, Inc. by Manhattan Scientifics. Metallicum is the company that developed the technology.
TDuncan
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Monday, December 01, 2008
Open season (the period of time in which you can sign up for an insurance plan) is going on now through December 8th for federal employees. The new year will bring major-level (type 3) coverage for dental implants and certain implant related services. There will be a 60-month limitation on these services, including implant maintenance procedures which are usually billed more frequently than once every 5 years. Custom abutments will not be covered but that doesn’t mean you should bill those as non-custom just to obtain coverage. Always bill for what you do, not for what you wish you could get paid.
Implant indexes will be allowed once during 60-months. This is important to know if you have a multi-year plan for implant placements in different locations of the mouth. Make sure to warn your patient about the non-covered services.
TDuncan
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Friday, November 21, 2008
Seth Godin is an author/marketing guru that I’ve read for years. His latest book Tribes explores the relationship between groups and leaders and good leaders are successful marketers/business persons. I haven’t read the book yet but I did read this E-book he published which explores questions prompted by the subject. I found it to be very relevant to the small dynamic of the dental office. On a larger scale, we can also be seen as tribal leaders in our community.
As leaders and members of small offices - our own tribes - we look to one or two of the members to be leaders. We need them to be leaders. Here’s an example of one of the questions:
What are the top mistakes leaders make that kill their tribes?
Mistakes are not terrible and mistakes will not necessarily kill your tribe. The key is to recognize that you have made a mistake, learn from it, and not repeat it. When a leader focuses so much energy on not making a mistake to begin with, it creates stress for the leader and the tribe, which leads to hard feelings and lack of enthusiasm. This emotional turbulence can kill a tribe sooner than any mistake could.
Characteristics and actions in a leader that can lead to the death of the tribe include:
• Inability to learn from a mistake
• Pitting members against one another
• Forgetting that a tribe has a life of its own rather than existing as an extension of the leader
• Not delegating (“I am the start and finish of all decisions.”)
• Making decisions based on personal agenda rather than on tribal agenda
• Thinking they cannot learn from their members and worse, thinking they know everything
• Conversely, being too passive and standing by as factions form and turf wars take place
• Allowing drama to exist by
• Devoting time, energy, and resources to deal with personal issues or conflicts
• Passively allowing these activities to exist even if they don’t take part
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” - Margaret Mead
Click here link to read ‘Tribes: Q&A’ - click the answer buttons to skip to the relevant question/answer.
TDuncan
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
Dental offices that are providing services such as neuromuscular rehabilitation, implant surgery and oral surgery inevitably seek to bill their services to the patient’s medical insurance. Most of the services are reimbursable under the patient’s medical plan but you have to know how to fill out the right claim form, use the correct diagnostic codes and use the correct procedure codes. One of the services I offer is how to do this correctly. My good friend Christine Taxin also consults on this so we tend to bounce ideas and news off of each other.
During one of our recent brainstorming sessions, the subject of medical billing came up and we came to the same conclusion: offices that are asking for help in medical billing often do not have dental billing under control. In other words, an office that does not have a firm understanding of the dental codes and how to file for reimbursement should not even consider medical billing. You will get it wrong. There’s fines for that too … I hear they’re steep.
Some of the questions we both hear at seminars or on phone consultations include:
Can I use a dental claim form to bill to medical? (no, use the CMS 1500 form)
Which codes do I use? (CPT, not CDT or dental codes)
Which insurance do I bill to first? (I advise billing to medical first)
What about Medicare? (I will tell you to run, as fast you can but Christine will tell you it’s not that bad)
Do I need to be a preferred provider? (probably not, unless your volume is huge and you think it will help you market your services - but that is a completely different conversation. Final answer - not really.)
These questions are pretty routine. But when we start hearing questions such as ‘why can’t I get deep cleaning paid?’ or ‘do I alternate between D4910 and D1110?” then we know that we need to dig a bit deeper. We need to get to the foundation of their coding knowledge. If exams are not being billed and claims are being rejected more than being paid then we have to start from scratch.
We’ll get you to the point of medical billing but we can’t do it unless you’re coding for dental services successfully. It’s a waste of your money to pay us to do this and a huge frustration for the team members to learn a skill set that will seem like third-level Latin. Crawl before you run.
TDuncan
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Thursday, November 13, 2008
This is an inspiring yet frustrating story. Carol Raines was the victim of violent crime that cost the life of her husband and shattered her jaw. The gunman fired into her jaw - basically destroying it. Her insurance would not pay for the reconstruction of her joints, jawbone and teeth. Then the media got involved - thankfully.
This is the frustrating part - the point was made that if this had happened to the man that committed the crime, the state would have picked up the cost of reconstruction. But for a private citizen there were no options. See what I mean - more infuriating than frustrating.
Thanks to Dr. Kent, she has new titanium jaw joints and will receive posterior teeth soon. She lost those in the shooting also. Dr. Johnny Schwartz will help with that part of the restoration.
Click here link to read the story and watch a video.
TDuncan
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Friday, October 31, 2008
Have you ever read an article or a post and thought…yes. That is so correct I wish I’d though of it or written it but I’m so glad I read it. From the Implantology ListServe (an email digest):
The best profile of an oral implantologist is first to be a good integral dentist.
He/she must have a deep and a wide knowledge of current state of the art of dentistry.
This includes modern imaging diagnosis, reconstructive techniques, both surgical and prosthetics (conventional and implant assisted), updated periodontics concepts and last, but not least, he/she must have, without excuse, a deep understanding and knowledge in occlusion.
Occlusion is the insurance of an implant and also of all mouth rehabilitation.
Technology is important, but we must have the adequate knowledge to use it in an correct way.
This quote was so eloquently written by Dr. Daniel I. Ostrowicz of Barcelona, Spain. My thanks to him for allowing me to post it here.
TDuncan
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Thursday, September 25, 2008
At the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) Straumann introduced its latest addition to the implant product line. The Roxolid is a titanium-zirconium alloy implant that is currently undergoing clinical trials in Europe. Straumann expects to roll out the Roxolid™ in 2009.
Click link to listen to the webcast announcing the product
Click link
TDuncan
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
The 2007 import ban on Emdogain has been lifted. This periodontal wonder material is again available through Straumann’s distributors. Emdogain has been touted as nothing short of a miracle drug to regenerate periodontal tissue. Also back on the market is BoneCeramic, Straumann’s bone augmentation product. Expect to hear more education on these products - Straumann has plenty of studies and testimonials from top clinicians to win you over.
link
TDuncan
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Thursday, August 21, 2008
Porous titanium foam as tooth replacement therapy? It’s coming our way. The foam is porous enough to allow for osseointegration and could possibly eliminate the need to graft bone. The creators intend for the foam implant to be used in spaces with less bone that would generally be grafted to create space for an implant. Toronto-based Biomedical Implant Technologies will distribute the product pending regulatory clearance.
link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Penny Anderson conducted an interview link with Dr. Shelburne in which he talks candidly about his trial and sentencing. There is also another site link set up to keep you updated on the trial and contains links to many court documents.
Click here to read the interview in Dental Economics link
Click here to visit the blog, Shelburne Aid link
View a previous entry on Dr. Shelburne’s Medicaid conviction link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Chicago is the place to be in the end of August. Pre-symposium classes start August 21 and the full program begins the next day. As usual our meetings feature an accomplished panel of speakers on both the doctors and auxiliary side. Plan to attend my implant insurance seminar on the 22nd. They scheduled me to talk after Dr. Carl Misch - can you say “intimidating”? Talk about a tough act to follow! Don’t worry - we’ll have fun even if it is about insurance. Click here to view the meeting brochure (PDF) link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Students at Case Western Reserve’s dental school link are using avatars and virtual reality in Second Life link to practice their “patient skills.” The school is utilizing both live and virtual patients to teach students to discuss topics such as medical history intake, treatment options and providing informed consent. Think back to your first time handling a patient (doctor or auxiliary) - it did not come naturally. One of the hardest things about private practice is learning how to talk to your patients. New clinicians are so worried about getting the diagnosis and treatment correct that not much thought is given to how to tell the patient that they need this work. That’s not a dig - that’s the truth. And it’s understandable. Corporations spend thousands to train their employees and sales force on selling and promoting a product. Typically dentists have no training in sales or presentation skills. Even if the students do not perfect their skills in dental school, they’ll come out realizing the importance of proper, high-quality patient communication. Are any other schools using similar programs? Click here to read the source article link Click here to visit Second Life link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Anita Michelle Reed link was charged with the above two counts last week in Mars Hill, NC. She is alleged to have taken over $3,000 in cash and calling in prescriptions of hydrocodone to family and friends. She was no longer employed by the dentists at the time of her arrest. The dentists became suspicious after an internal audit turned up financial discrepancies. Don’t think this can’t happen to you - go run your aging reports and log on to your bank account for a quick check.
Read the news report here link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Medtronic just bought Restore Medical link which developed and tested this system link. On the medical side, Medtronic is huge - more than able to aggressively market the product to both the medical and dental community. My ENT’s office started to place these earlier this year and my doctor reports good results. The company has been looking for dentists to begin placing the implants. 
So what is this system? It’s a series of tiny implants placed in the soft palate to stabilize and stiffen the tissue. It allows the airway to remain open - decreasing snoring and helping patients with obstructive sleep apnea. The patient should not be aware of their presence. The web site explains it much more than I do - complete with a video. Check it out link.
Visit the Pillar Procedure Site link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Dr. Dan Fischer link, CEO & President of Ultradent, has a corporate blog link. Add this to the list of corporations that recognize the value of blogging about company events. Scroll down to his June 10th entry link about hygienist Carol Jent’s recent humanitarian mission to China. Impressive efforts, indeed. Kudos to Dr. Fischer for maintaining an informative corporate blog. This may not seem like a big deal but regular net readers can spot a blatantly self-serving blog a mile away.
Read Dr. Fischer’s blog link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 14, 2008
My grandfather passed away early yesterday after a long battle with several health conditions. He was the kindest and feistiest man I’ve ever known. My grandpa was a World War II veteran although he wouldn’t talk much about it. He was present at the raising of the flag on Iwo Jima. I’m proud to be his granddaughter and grateful that my son was able to spend so many years with him. I love you, Grandpa - you are dearly missed.
The blog will be silent for the rest of the week so I can spend time with my family. Back on Monday. Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 14, 2008
Does your office provide periodontal treatment - perhaps scaling and root planing, laser treatment or more involved surgery? Do you have a follow-up letter to send after treatment? In our office we evaluate the patient after one month to assess healing and to determine a frequency for periodontal maintenance. After this appointment I will print out a comparison of their periodontal readings using the readings from their initial probing compared to readings taken at their one-month evaluation. Our software allows us to designate the colors of each date’s reading so you have a nice visual for the patient.
Along with the chart I send a letter explaining it. If you are a hygienist, it’s even better if you send it. Below is the text - if you’d like a customizable Word version, leave a comment and I’ll send it to you. Make sure you customize it…some patients may show absolutely no improvement or you may want to mention the use of a Sonicare Flexcare link and/or Hydrofloss link.
Dear (Patient),
I wanted you to have the attached chart of the readings we’ve taken of your gums. The blue line is the most recent set of readings. You can see by the chart that by the time you came back from your re-evaluation, some healing had occurred and your numbers improved. Ideally your readings should have the blue lines above the red lines, showing improvement. The red dots above the teeth indicate bleeding when (HYGIENIST’S NAME) probed the pocket. Normal, healthy gums do not bleed when probed, unfortunately. I can tell by looking at these lines that your molar areas have the deepest pockets, although they are showing improvement.
(HYGIENIST’S NAME) recommends that you continue to floss regularly. When you come in for your routine cleanings, (HYGIENIST’S NAME) will take quick readings of problem areas to see if more healing has occurred. If you have any questions about these readings, please call the office and ask for me or (HYGIENIST’S NAME).
Sincerely,
(OFFICE MANAGER NAME)
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 14, 2008
On July 10th, Dr. Shelburne was sentenced to serve two years link concurrently for “three felony convictions of racketeering, defrauding Medicaid and structuring a financial transaction,” according to TriCities.com reporter Daniel Gilbert link. More details will be released in the paper’s next edition. I’ll post updated links as they come in.
Click here to read a previous post regarding Dr. Shelburne’s trial link
Click here to read the source article link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 14, 2008
We now have our own website link - very exciting! Previously we were a page on the ICOI’s link site but we’ve grown so much that we needed our own corner of the web. Visit the site to find descriptions of our certification classes and information about upcoming symposia. The ADIA link will also host a series of webinars - check out the Members section link for a schedule.
While you’re surfing around, check out the ICOI’s new site. Lots of exciting changes for both organizations - you should be a part of it.
Click here to visit ADIAOnline.org link
Click her to visit ICOI’s site link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 14, 2008
How does your office look? No - really - how does it appear to the new patient? This subject has been on my mind lately since I had a chiropractic visit on Monday. The doctor is great, the staff is fine but the office needs an image update. For so many reasons.
Reason #1 - the initial paperwork was photocopied and had serious copy machine tattoos. And it was repetitive - I’m not sure how many times I need to rate my pain on 3 sheets of paper.
Reason #2 - I was led down a hallway by a team member that didn’t say anything other than “Ms. Duncan, follow me - we’re just going to the end of the hall. Wait in here - the doctor will be right in.” No introduction, no handshake and no small talk.
Reason #3 - I was seated in the doc’s private office for the consultation. This is what I see:
* Messages for the doc with patient’s names and phone numbers
* Morning paper tossed under the desk
* Power tools in the corner (hand drill, not table saw, thankfully!)
* Journals that were years old. I saw a reference manual from 2002 - maybe the human spine hasn’t changed that much but I’d like to think he’s more current
You’re probably thinking that I am very nosy but in my defense - I was left there for about 20 minutes. And I happen to be an administrative person - I can’t help it!
It got better once the doc came in. Very nice guy that came highly recommended. He was obviously a smart guy and had a calming, confident air about him. I believed in his skill and that’s what matters to me. I had already been warned about the mumbling team member. I figured if I can understand anyone with a mouthful of cotton rolls, she would be a breeze. The warning was justified. I had to ask her to repeat herself a few times. So did the guy next to me who was also receiving heat treatment. I was face down, so she couldn’t see my annoyed confused look.
What I liked was that the waiting room had lumbar support pillows for many of the chairs. I’m going to look into those for our office. I know we’re not in the spine business but they were very comfortable and I think our patients will like them.
So the point of this post is to get you thinking about your new patient’s experience. Was your waiting room clean? Did your team members offer high-end service? Are your office forms professional looking? Did you read them once they were filled out? Ask one of your chatty patients for feedback - whether it’s positive or negative, it’s valuable. Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 14, 2008
Joan Garbo link - a fellow SCN link member and friend - is hosting this webinar on pinkTooth.net link this coming Thursday at 8pm CST. She is one of the most vibrant and funny people I have ever met so I can vouch that it will be an entertaining broadcast.
Click here to register for Joan’s webinar: All The Honey Without Any Bees! link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 07, 2008
Employees of 1-800-Dentist link competed against employees from a salon on last night’s episode of The Singing Office link…I’m all about dental solidarity so I rooted for the home team, of course! The show picked five employees from each company and put them through a singing and dancing routine. I’ll go ahead and spoil it for you since I’m not sure how often TLC link airs the show - our partners in teeth won! Congrats to them - they go on to the semi-finals. I love when teeth and entertainment mix! Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 07, 2008
Anaheim, CA: June 25, 2008 - The 2008 Dental Industry Metrics Report® is now available from The Anaheim Group, publishers of Dentalfax® Weekly link. The 476-page report contains performance data on 100 publicly traded dental industry companies. The report includes companies based in the US, Germany, China, England, Switzerland, Belgium, Japan, Sweden, and New Zealand.
The 2008 Dental Industry Metrics Report contains information such as sales growth, earnings per share, market value, return on assets and return on equity, number of employees, price to earnings ratio, and sales multiple for each company profiled. In addition, the report includes industry-wide averages for insurance companies, manufacturing organizations, lab management firms, practice management companies, distributors, and consumer over-the-counter product firms. All of the sales and stock data are for the completion of the most recent fiscal year for each company.
The 2008 Dental Industry Metrics Report is a useful resource for investors, as well as dental company executives interested in comparing their company’s performance against specific competitors or the industry as a whole. The report is available only on CD-ROM. Each CD contains the report as a searchable Word® document and as a PDF® file. The cost of the report, $250, includes shipping and handling. There is an additional $10 fee if payment is not made by credit card at time of order. To order the report or obtain additional information, send an email to dentalfax@sbcglobal.net or call 714-543-8007.
A faxable order form may be downloaded at www.dentalfax.com link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 07, 2008
The latest edition of Pennwell’s Dental Assisting Digest link features a salary survey for dental assistants. Are you paying a comparable amount of sick days? Salary? How many offices pay bonuses and on what frequency? Click here for the results link.
Scott Wallach, CPA link discusses why your hourly rate should not be your only compensation metric. Take into account retirement and medical benefits along with holiday and sick pay. Other articles from the Digest include a nice interview of Mirna Pacheco, CDA, RDH link who is an assistant professor in Puerto Rico and fellow blogger Linda Zdanowicz link discussing her practice’s ownership transition.
What took up most of my time was a linked recording from an article by Chris Mullins about the importance of phone skills. It’s a recorded phone call of a patient asking for information about implants. The poor patient was put on-hold for so long and really didn’t get her questions answered. How is your office answering calls? Click here to go directly to that article link. Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 07, 2008
I’ve always heard of dentists that don’t evaluate for periodontal disease or that don’t take radiographs regularly. Since I’ve never worked with any but hear about them from other auxiliaries, I have to believe there’s more than one or two out there. Don’t be one of them.
No - I don’t know all the facts in the case cited by Mr. Gerry Oginski on his website link but they’re really not hard to believe. Click the link to hear him describe a recent client’s dental situation. Failure to diagnose periodontal disease is still the leading cause of dental malpractice suits - don’t be “that dentist.” Click here to watch the video by Gerry Oginski link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 07, 2008
But I didn’t know it could come in this handy. Here’s a little Friday Fun for you - follow the link to see more pics link. That’s a big pig! Click here to see Glide Floss’s new advertising campaign link 
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, July 07, 2008
AOL Jobs recently published a list of the top 10 careers link you can pursue with a two-year degree and dental hygienist comes in at number 2 after computer specialists. The projected growth of hygiene jobs through 2016 is 30% - that’s good news for our access to care issue. If you are considering hygiene as a career, the time has never been better. The population isn’t slowing down and every new person has up to 32 teeth needing to be cleaned! Imagine the opportunities … Click here to read the list link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, June 25, 2008
My friend and uber-hygienist Anastasia Turchetta link will host a free webinar tomorrow evening on the topic of dentinal hypersensitivity link. If you’re free Thursday night, sign up!
From her announcement:
This hour-long, interactive course will teach you to:
* Define the pain of dentin hypersensitivity
* Utilize products for precise results with hypersensitivity
* Professionally applied products & OTC product review for hypersensitivity
* Create a comfortable environment for your patient
Space is limited, so be sure to reserve your spots today! Sponsored by 1-800-DENTIST.
To sign up, call your Member Services Representative today at 1‑800‑552‑1616!
Non-Members register here: link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
July 31st will kick off UOR 2008 in Chicago link - my flight is booked and the hotel has been reserved. I can’t wait to reunite with colleagues from CareerFusion link, Speaking Consulting Network linkand the ADIA link. Last year I was able to sit in on more than one session per time slot (had my walking shoes on!) thanks to the generosity of the Pennwell link team. Big conferences are where my reporter’s hat comes out and I spend time observing exhibitor efforts, attendee reactions and of course, I ask many questions of both. If you will be there, drop me a line - I’d love to meet up with you. Also taking place at UOR link is a raffle to raise proceeds for the Oral Cancer Foundation link. A group of us from Amy’s List link (the best group resource for hygienists) has come together to form the Oral Cancer Committee. We’ve created an awareness slide that many of the speakers have agreed to include in their program. The primary goal is to raise awareness among the dental hygiene community to provide regular screening to all patients. The secondary goal is to have a successful fund-raising raffle, of course. Hope to see you at UOR this year! link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
The Florida Board of Dentistry fined Dr. Wesley Meyer link $17,000 after he dropped an implant part into the mouth of a 90-year old denture patient. Dr. Meyer was attempting to secure the implant-supported denture. The patient aspirated the piece and then developed complications after surgery to remove the “mini-wrench.” The patient died from these complications. However - this was the second time that Dr. Meyer had dropped a piece into the same patient’s mouth. The board also barred Dr. Meyer from performing any implant procedures until he receives further training. Additionally, the board found fault with Dr. Meyer’s documentation which did not indicate either mishap had occurred. Read the news article here link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
If you have an existing website and would like to convert more passive readers into active readers, Linkbox link may work for you. It’s an add-on for your website that allows the visitor to learn about your office’s current specials with an easily forwardable link. At this point you should definitely be tracking your site statistics to decide what web tactic is working for you. Linkbox can help you with that also. Many offices are seeing the trend toward initial patient contact via web. I know we’re seeing it in our office - our email volume is much higher than a year ago. Click here to visit Linkbox’s site link Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Have you ever set your Tivo link to record something and then forget all about it? I found a surprise waiting for me of the best kind: BBC America’s Britain’s Worst Teeth. link Admit it, regular readers - you also geek out about teeth. The main problem with Britain’s dental system is that there are not enough dentists to go around. Demand far outpaces supply in that situation. Not much different in Australia and Canada and really - not all that different from here. The US suffers from mal-distribution of providers but that’s a completely different post. One of the patients on Britain’s Worst Teeth link needed general anesthesia to proceed with dental care - she’ll have to wait two years on the waiting list. Try to catch this show link - not only is it interesting to see the cases progress but it’s fun to check out other office designs and treatment protocols.
TDuncan
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Raising awareness of domestic violence and its destructive effects on victim and family alike is a cause that’s near and dear to my heart. link
I smiled when I heard that Sirona Dental Systems link will sponsor and partner with the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s Give Back A Smile program. link The program consists of AACD link members volunteering time and skill to restore the smiles - and confidence - to domestic violence survivors. I’ve previously worked as a rape crisis counselor and I have seen firsthand the lack of self-esteem and fear that can keep a person from moving forward with their lives. If you are missing your two front teeth because they were knocked out by an abusive spouse, it will be hard to confidently interview for a new job. Kudos to Sirona Dental and the AACD for their efforts. Together we can make a difference. Click here to read about Give Back A Smile and the AACD link and here to visit Sirona’s website link Click here to read about the Domestic Violence series I co-authored with Anastasia Turchetta for RDH Magazine link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Michael Ventriello is the author of this blog link and writes on various dental industry happenings and trends. His marketing knowledge is considerable and his writing is peppered with the kind of dry wit that gets you to crack a smile. I’m glad that I stumbled upon his blog. Add him link to your daily blogroll or your RSS feed - you won’t regret it. Visit DentalFlak link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Up for the task? Click here to read the job description link and if you get become the new head honcho, make The Dental Implant Blog the official ADA blog! :-)
TDuncan
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Friday, June 13, 2008
If you’ve been considering a practice management software (PMS)change or want to take the step toward digital dentistry, you won’t get a better price! Software packages can run thousands of dollars with hundreds of dollars in yearly support which you may or may not use. Patterson is making a smart move by offering the software for free - market share is not only important in the implant field, but also in the PMS system. The nice thing is that data conversion is free. Contact your local Patterson rep or visit link for details
TDuncan
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Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Our office has a list posted in the lounge of random office chores that can be done when there is down time. I wish I could say we never have this problem but unfortunately we run into it every now and then. The list says 101 but there’s not that many - just enough to keep us busy. The point is that we’re all hard-working and the last thing we want to see is another team member staring out the window, bored. Really - that is the very last thing we want to see! So I’m offering my list to anyone who would like it - it’s in Word format so you can add or subtract your own items. Just send me an email or leave a comment.
Did you miss the Patient Termination letter? Click here link
Or the New Patient Call letter? Click here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Friday, May 23, 2008
Dr. Hans Skariah link titles some of his posts “Dental Did You Know.” These posts give out some very good information that explain common dental concerns with links to research journals. He’s a friend of fellow blogger, Dr. Ian Furst - writer of the Wait Time and Delayed Care Blog and a commenter on this blog. I love that the dental blogosphere is getting larger but yet we are just an email away.
Click here to visit The Tooth Booth Dental Blog link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, May 22, 2008
The company has had to reevaluate their relationships with surgeon consultants after federal investigations effectively ground their marketing and education programs to a halt. Zimmer link wasn’t the only company mentioned in the probe - Biomet link was also named. Both companies have dental divisions (Biomet owns 3i) link that were affected by the investigation that mainly centered on the medical implant device segments.
Zimmer link is considering buying out the existing physician contracts in order to make a fresh start. In addition to steep fines and having to pay for a governance program, this should greatly affect Zimmer’s link bottom line. It’s a shame that the medical division will impact the dental division though. With the dental implant market growing at a steady clip, more practitioners and team members will need as much education as they can get. I’ve attended a few worthwhile Zimmer link seminars so I hope they are able to get back in the swing of it soon.
Read source article #1 here link and #2 here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Hygienists Shirley Gutkowski and Angie Stone will hold the last module of their webcast “Adopt A Nursing Home” on May 22nd on Pinktooth.net. Click here to register for the session. link
Click here to read a previous post on this seminar. link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The party can get a little rough! Pennsylvania dentist David Wielechowski and his new bride were arrested during the reception for fighting with each other. Some articles stated he “karate-kicked” her but they’ve both gone public stating that it was all in good fun. Unfortunately the police don’t think so. That night they were both arrested and spent the night in jail still dressed in their wedding attire. And now two other people have come forward reporting injuries sustained during the “incident.”
Read the news story here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 21, 2008
This weekend we attended my husband’s graduation - he has earned an MBA after years of hard work and unbelievable focus. I’d like to congratulate him on this admirable achievement. Both our families were there to cheer him on when he crossed the stage. Here’s a pic of the new grad and his proud wife and son.
Congrats baby - you did it!
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
The rumors have been swirling for a little bit and it was confirmed today. 3M - yes, the large corporation that brings you Post-It notes and Scotch tape - is now entering the dental implant market. The deal should close later this year but expect to see much more advertising of Imtec’s MIDI implant and their ILUMA imaging. The money is definitely there now. If you needed convincing that implants are a growing part of dentistry, you need only look to the growing number of investments by non-dental companies for proof.
Visit IMTEC’s home page with a link to the 3M announcement link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
Oral Health America is launching a smile campaign that will run in both the US and the UK. This year’s theme is “Brush for Health.” OHA will also partner with Philips Sonicare to conduct a national public opinion survey on the topic of dental health.
From the press release:
For the first time, Oral Health America is launching National Smile Month in the U.S. With this year’s theme “Brush for Health,” National Smile Month hopes to educate and inform consumers about the importance of good oral health and overall health. Dental offices around the U.S. will be participating in National Smile Month by spreading important campaign messages to their patients through discussions and activities. National Smile Month will be running simultaneously in the U.S. and UK from May 18 through June 17.
Click here to visit Oral Health America’s site - get involved link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, May 15, 2008
The newest Colgate White Papers is now available online. The focus of this issue is the relationship between periodontal bacterial load and cardiovascular disease. Patients are becoming more aware of this connection as more media outlets are talking about. Not nearly enough though. The Papers recommend adding bacterial marker testing in addition to traditional diagnostic methods. Talk to your periodontal patients about the increased risk to their health - it’s part of providing quality care.
Read the Colgate White Papers here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, May 13, 2008
A frequent complaint from both dental labs and offices is that it is hard to keep track of implant cases. The position of treatment coordinator is essential to an implant practice’s success. iConfident link sent me a link to their case communication software along with a demo code. So I tinkered around with it. Pretty useful to have an online version of an implant case check sheet - it allows you to select all available components once you enter your implant choice. My only complaint was that only two implant manufacturers were listed as options.
I called the CTO Rob Clayton and asked if they were planning to add more companies. He said that more companies are coming on board. It’s not always easy for general and specialty offices to keep track of the parts and scheduled visits - any tool that can help should be investigated.
Thank you to Rob for taking the time to talk with me about the product.
Click here to visit iConfident and use the following info:
User: demo1
Password: demodemo1
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, May 12, 2008
This year I joined the AADC link and just returned from their Annual Meeting link here in very hot Scottsdale, AZ. The keynote speaker was Dr. Gordon Christensen - he spoke on ethics and evidence-based dentistry. He urges all of us to evaluate the source of clinical studies and manage the statistical evidence with real-life practice experience. Since I was there to learn how to code more effectively, it was helpful to be in a room filled with claims reviewers. Two sessions of the workshop were devoted to discussion of claims selected to illustrate common coding dilemmas.
Dr. Lynn Mouden really opened my eyes when he talked about his PANDA project link that focuses on identifying and preventing family violence. The images were graphic and more disturbing than any I’d seen.
I’d like to thank the AADC for making me feel so welcome - it was a pleasure to meet and exchange ideas with them.
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
After the posting of the Shelburne-Medicaid story link, I received several private emails from dentists that were alarmed by what they read. Below is part of the correspondence between myself and dentist-and legal consultant Barry Levy. He was part of CA state’s criminal case against Drueciel Ford, DDS link.
I had put many posts on www.dentaltown.com and the gist of the problem is that when the dental profession doesn’t do what is right, then others step into the void and they normally don’t have the same concerns as the profession has, and unfortunately they have the ability to make the rules that profession must then work with.
To start, the concept that Americans should stay in the US for treatment because there is no recourse should a problem arise, when they get cheaper treatment outside the country is a huge problem. First why are dentists so quick to condemn foreign dentists, but so loathe to condemn non-acceptible treatment from American dentists, and second most dental cases are too small for lawyers to want to take, to let the harmed person be made whole. But a profession should be the same for all, and not dependent on what area code the dentist works in, the type of practice of the number of employees. And to go with that problem one just has to remember the Reader’s Digest article where a patient was checked out by the local dental school and then got so many different diagnosis as to make a person’s head spin.
Second I have begged dentists to realize that a problem for a colleague can have profound implications if we don’t stand up together. Nobody stood up for Dr. Ford, despite the railroading that was being done, and now we see that nobody stood up for Dr. Shelburne. It is hard for me to see how with the blessings that we have in our profession that we aren’t so ready to maintain so blessings.
Third, the rules that are being established are such that the ability to run a practice is becoming more difficult and we are always being told that we should just absorb the costs, but there becomes a time when that is impossible. I like the concept of gloves, and being told that the cost for gloves isn’t something that should be passed on to the patients, but when the post office went to gloves for their workers, and they used far less, the government wanted to pass on those costs to those using the postal system. 4 gloves a day for a postal worker is a cost that must be passed on, but boxes a day for staff is to be absorbed.
Fourth, the fraud rules are becoming such that non-acceptible treatment is being considered a fraud, and could land a dentist in criminal rather than malpractice, and fraud as also been defined as billing for treatment that you didn’t actually perform. So if you bill for work that your associate has done, it has been called fraud in Ca., and tried but lost. But how does that affect a dental practice where the billing costs can’t be contained.
Fifth, is the most insidious concept that making money is wrong and that tactic was used both in California and in Virginia, when looking at the life styles of the dentists involved, and how they were living. This should be striking fear into the heart of the profession and especially so with all the dental seminars about how to increase production.
Sixth is the government’s attempt to win by threatening your staff to turn on you, and spoon feeding them what they want them to say. It happened in Cal. and from the report the amount of time spent by the government interviewing the Dr.’s staff should be troubling to anyone.
Seventh-once you bill using mail or electronic billing a mistake can become a federal crime. And if you look at the dollar amount for a felony, a simple mistake can turn one into a felon. In California over a 5 year span they found something like $600 in errors and that became felony theft. If one wants to defraud the system one would be doing it on all patients and in dentistry the fraud becomes small amounts of money charged to large number of patients. This didn’t happen in either case according to testimony or news reports.
Eight-selective prosecution. I find it abhorrent that the US Government will tell me that billing fraud approaching $25 Million by large groups are too small to interest them, but $8000 by a single practitioner is a huge problem. It doesn’t make sense but the reality is that the government is a bully and would rather attack the single practitioner who doesn’t have legal counsel on retainers than deal with the large groups, doing large harm, but have legal resources. That should trouble all dentists, and especially all dentists that are solo practitioners that don’t have legal counsel on payroll.
And the list goes on and gets worse, but dentists are a little too busy dealing with their practices, their families and their lives to deal with obscure issues that seem not to be relevant or even cross their radar screens, until it is too late. That is why large associations should have the funds put aside to allow others to protect their interests, and when I had discussed the Cal. case the consensus wasn’t to assist, but to watch and see what happens. Well, what happened was that a Cal. dentist was bankrupted and lost her practice to defend herself, and a Virginia dentist may be going to jail.
So I guess it depends, either I was a chicken little stating the sky was falling, or a seer telling what would happen if the profession didn’t wake up. If you weren’t involved with either case then you might think that I am chicken little, but for the two dentists not only did the sky fall down, but their worlds were destroyed.
Barry Levy, DDS
Read the previous post on Dr. Roy Shelburne’s story link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Sales were up 18% from last year. The bulk of their increased sales came from non-US markets but CEO Bret Wise noted that US sales were still respectable. Their new implant design Ankylos CX link will be introduced throughout Europe and the US this year. Additionally it was noted that the merger of their endodontic and implant sales teams is now completed so that reps can now offer guidance for product use in both treatment modalities.
Read the transcript from the earnings call on SeekingAlpha link
Read the Dentsply press release link
Click here to read about the Ankylos CX link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
Dr. Roy Shelburne link was convicted last month of Medicaid fraud here in my home state of Virginia. The prosecution of Dr. Shelburne seems very aggressive and looks to be a test case but with very harsh consequences for the doctor. He’s awaiting sentencing of up to 120 years in prison and a fine of over a million dollars.
The fact that Dr. Shelburne link held regular business meetings and actually turned a profit was used against him in trial. Dental office owners across the country should be concerned. When efficiency in business becomes a liability we are all in trouble.
A website link was recently created in order to spread Dr. Shelburne’s side of the story. If this is indeed a test case, it will have wide implications for not only Medicaid providers but for all dentists.
Visit the site MedicaidRuinsGoodDentist.com link
Visit the US Department of Justice news release link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, May 07, 2008
My friend and CareerFusion mentor Shirley Gutkowski, RDH will lead a two-part webcast link starting tonight on this topic hosted by Pinktooth.net. So many nursing home residents could use the help of trained dental professionals - find out how you can make a difference.
Click here to find out more and to register for the webcasts link
**First one begins tomorrow night at 8pm CST**
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Friday, May 02, 2008
My local ABC news station link began the nightly news with an investigative piece on lead in dental crowns. More specifically - the crowns tested contained lead in the porcelain, not the metal. A Virginia lab owner was also interviewed. He called around to different labs to find out how cheaply he could buy a crown. $20-50 per unit. Holy cow.
So what does this mean for your practice? If your lab sends any kind of certification on materials used (separate from the lab slip) make sure your patient sees it. Even if they don’t ask about it, consider it good public relations. Imagine they return to the office and talk about their new crown. One of the coworkers mentions that she’s seen this news story. I’d like to say that our patient will respond with “my doctor showed me proof that it’s not one of those crowns” rather than “oh crap.” Our office is going to respond proactively by beginning this conversation with our prosthetic patients.
The story is slowly gaining more speed as local news affiliates pick up on it. I mean - our infamous DC madam committed suicide but they led with this story?
Read an earlier post about lead in crowns link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, May 01, 2008
The merging of the medical and dental records continue - which is a good thing. Wellpoint - the US’s largest insurer - agreed to purchase DeCare Dental. This will give them a combined membership count of about 9 million. It will be easier to cross-reference medical risk factors such as diabetes and heart condition and allow for necessary dental work to help treat overall patient health.
Read the source article link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, April 29, 2008
The start of 2008 brought good news for Straumann link and not so good news for Nobel Biocare link. Straumann link reported 12% sales growth but still missed expectations slightly. Nobel link reported a 25% decline in reported profit citing a weak US dollar. Shares of Nobel link have been down while Straumann link has seen a rise in their share price.
The implant marketplace is much more crowded than it was five years ago. In another three, we’ll still see tremendous growth. The era of consolidation hasn’t really started in the dental implant market - there’s too much opportunity for growth. Yes - Nobel link recently bought a small implant company but I believe (and others too) that it was mostly to cover their bases since AlphaBioTec’s link implant design was the first generation soon-to-roll-out NobelActive link. The real mixing of business is happening between CAD/CAM businesses and the implant makers.
Read the Straumann report link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, April 28, 2008
About a month ago, I started using the Hydro Floss Irrigator link after using my Sonicare Flexcare toothbrush link. It’s an irrigation unit that is meant for people like me - the ones that really don’t like to floss. The unit was pretty easy to use - fill the small tank with water and use the handle in between your teeth. The tip is meant to fit in that space between your teeth right under the gumline to force water into the pocket to flush out all that…you know, stuff.
So for the past two weekends I’ve been out of town and wasn’t able to take it with me (it’s really not meant for travel use). I really missed it. I floss because I have to but with the Hydro Floss link, I’ll only have to keep floss in my travel bag. The unit is a little loud - my husband always knew when I was using it. But a little loudness is worth not having to floss.
The information packet had research supporting its use around implants and under fixed restorations. Judging by how well it works with natural teeth, I can see that it would be helpful to keep implant sites clean. The key is to keep the biofilms from taking hold and regular irrigation can help prevent them from taking hold.
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Friday, April 25, 2008
I’m back in Norfolk, VA at Pennwell’s Professional Dental Assisting conference. I was surprised that my implant insurance lecture had more administrators than I expected, considering this is an assistant-focused meeting. Lynn Mortilla, our ADIA Executive Director, and Lisa Wadsworth are teaching a hands-on implant course tomorrow - I can’t wait to see them in action.
Christine Taxin and I will present The Assistant’s Role in Specialized Dentistry later in the afternoon. The fields of neuromuscular and implant dentistry are becoming more popular and the assistants will be the ones to help doctors implement the new technology into their offices. I’m looking forward to another day full of good questions and conversation.
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
A dental office in Brooklyn has been accused of malpractice by a woman who claims she was left alone after a procedure. Ramona Mercado had her wisdom tooth extracted under general anesthesia. She claims that she woke up to a dark office - the staff and doctors had left for the day. In the end, 911 was called and Ms. Mercado eventually went home.
Incredible! How do you forget a patient?
Click here to read the news story link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Pre-symposium courses begin August 21st and the symposium runs through August 24th. The Implant Prosthodontic Section link (IPS) offers incredible coursework aimed at all members of the implant team: from lab technician to surgeon to restoring dentist. And of course the auxiliaries … we all know they are the key to an office’s success! Please make plans to attend the symposium - don’t miss my seminar Friday afternoon, Insurance for Implants: Problems & Solutions.
Click here to read the meeting brochure link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, April 21, 2008
When a patient calls to make an appointment, our office uses a cheat sheet to record information. I designed this sheet years ago (I mean YEARS ago) and had pads printed up to put by each phone station. We are computerized but have found it hard to get rid of this form mainly because it has been so helpful. In other words, it’s not broken so we haven’t fixed it.
The form is brought to the morning huddle so that we’re prepared for their concerns. From that point it goes into the patient’s chart as our first document of record.
I’m offering to send this to any office that needs it - just leave a comment or email me for the form. The patient dismissal form I blogged about (here) link has been very popular - I’m happy to share that also.
Click here for the post: Dismissing A Patient link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Friday, April 18, 2008
Las Vegas is again the place to be - the Sterngold Implant Forum takes place May 9-10 at beautiful Mandalay Bay. The course will feature hands-on training as well as lecture presentations.
Click here to visit the Forum’s site link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, April 17, 2008
This was not the deal of a century. Cassandra Jean Lorenzi of Fort Myers rejected the initial deal of one year imprisonment because she was worried about losing her new job. HUH?? I would think that you could lose your new job when your face hit the papers for embezzling - but what do I know?
Judge Fred Hardt had given Lorenzi six months to pay money back to her former employer, Aesthetic & Implant Dentistry of Naples. But when she showed up to court on Monday with nothing yet repaid, the judge got a little perturbed. She showed up with a $6,000 check - but she took over $220,000! Not exactly the restitution the doctors had in mind, I’m sure. So the judge threw the book at her: 20 years. Wow. I’m guessing Ms. Lorenzi wishes she could get that first deal back.
Click here to read the source article that discusses the court appearance. link
Click here to read an earlier post about Lorenzi link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, April 15, 2008
The second and final part of this series is available in this month’s RDH link Magazine. My co-writer and partner in crime, Anastasia Turchetta, RDH was also interviewed at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting about the topic. Please take a moment to read the articles - this subject may be relevant at some point in your professional career.
Click here to watch a video of Anastasia by the Editor of RDH Magazine, Mark Hartley. link
Read Part I in RDH Magazine: Domestic Violence link
Read Part II in RDH Magazine: End the Cycle of Violence link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, April 14, 2008
This is a long-overdue stumble - Life’s Context link is a blog written by two endodontists and a hygienist. They bring a good blend of dentistry and real life to the blogosphere. That’s admirable because I’m still trying to find the right mix. Some days I’d like to tell you all about the patients that make me think extremely unprofessional thoughts but until I work up that courage I’ll live vicariously through Life’s Context’s link bloggers: Periapex, Calculus & Amelobloast.
Click here to read Life’s Context link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, April 14, 2008
Almost a year ago, I wrote about link how nice it would be if families could share maximum amounts instead of just being subjected to it. I was very happy to get an email pointing this plan out to me. With the Assurant Family Max plan, if teenage daughter comes home from her checkup needing fillings and root canals while Mom gets a clean bill of health - the dental office can plan on using the full $3000 for the daughter ($1500 per individual). Financial coordinators run into this dilemma all the time - patients wishing they could tap into their husband or wife’s maximum since they aren’t using it. This would be very useful for implant treatment planning. I hope this type of plan catches on with other insurance carriers.
Another plus - the plan also features benefits for genetic testing … very nice!
Click here to read about the plan link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, April 10, 2008
A reader forwarded me this story from the New York Times with a message that she hoped I was taking my vitamins. Talk about an alarming article! It basically says that “writers blog til they drop.” The writer is a little bit of a reactionary, methinks. Just because two bloggers die of heart attacks doesn’t mean that we will flood the ER’s at any minute. Jeez.
Read the New York Times article here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Check your vaccination records - there’s been recent outbreaks in the US. Below the pic is the full advisory - print this up and discuss it in your next team meeting. Our office got hit hard by the flu this year - I can’t begin to imagine a measles outbreak link .
ANNAPOLIS, MD: April 8, 2008 - The Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) has developed a special page on its website at www.osap.org link in response to the April 3rd CDC Health Advisory on recent measles outbreaks in the US. The page includes information specific to dental professionals, including photographs of the oral cavities of infected patients.
Measles is a highly contagious disease that is transmitted by respiratory droplets and airborne spread. Although measles is no longer an endemic disease in the US, it remains endemic in most countries of the world, including some countries in Europe. Large outbreaks currently are occurring in Switzerland and Israel. Outbreaks in several parts of the US have been linked to importation from endemic countries.
According to the CDC, during a measles outbreak, additional vaccine recommendations should be considered. Healthcare facilities should strongly consider recommending one dose of MMR vaccine to unvaccinated healthcare personnel born before 1957 who do not have serologic evidence of immunity or physician documentation of measles disease. For more information, go to www.osap.org. link
OSAP is the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures. Founded in 1984, the non-profit association is dentistry’s premier resource for infection control and safety information. Through its publications, courses, website, and worldwide collaborations, OSAP and the tax-exempt OSAP Foundation support education, research, service, and policy development to promote safety and the control of infectious diseases in dental healthcare settings worldwide.
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, April 09, 2008
The dental field continues to virtually expand and the best way to keep it going is to share information. Pennwell’s community link is easy to join and the people on the site are friendly and willing to share information. Get to know Pennwell’s team and clinicians across the country. Click here to visit their community link
I also want to put in a shameless plug that Pennwell’s Professional Dental Assisting 2008 link is coming up in Norfolk, VA at the end of this month. My first seminar will be on Implant Insurance and the next day I’ll team teach “The Assistant’s Role in Specialized Dentistry” with Christine Taxin. ADIA Executive Director Lynn Mortilla will discuss the role of the Implant Coordinator and - along with ADIA Fellow-candidate Lisa Wadsworth - will also hold a hands-on implant dentistry workshop. Other speakers include Tina Calloway, Linda Miles & Dr. Rhonda Savage. Click here to visit the site link .
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, April 07, 2008
Take a webcam, a souped up toothbrush and turn brushing into a game - what do you get? Kids who brush their teeth twice as well as before they used the device. The “Playful Toothbrush” debuted at the 26th Computer and Human Interaction conference link in Florence, Italy. The webcam disguised as a flower is a little odd and the screen is huge but with a few tweaks I think it could be a fun gadget.
Read the source article by clicking here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, April 07, 2008
Last weekend I traveled down to Norfolk, VA to attend the Members Only Meeting of the Speaking Consulting Network link. It was so much fun to reconnect with my colleagues. I met most of the attendees only last year but feel like I’ve known them for years. After a full day of learning and networking, we took a dinner cruise and finished off the next day with a tour of Colonial Williamsburg. I usually take more pictures but it seems that batteries only last so long.
Our hotel was across from the Marriott in Norfolk where Professional Dental Assisting link 2008 will take place later this month. I’m speaking on Thursday and Friday. If you’re not already registered, click here and sign up link !
Patti DiGangi link & Anastasia Turchetta link 
With Kevin Henry, Editor of Dental Economics link
SCN Founder Linda Miles link 
With Judy Dember-Paige link , my roommate Patti DiGangi link & Christine Taxin 
Kirk Sweigard from CareCredit, Judy Kay Mausolf, Linda & Don Miles 
Patsy Turpin, Kevin Henry link, Mary Govoni link & David Reznik link 
Denise Rigdon, Lois Banta, Laci Phillips & Anastasia Turchetta link 
Danny Scott & Bonnie Pugh link and Jan & Brad Dykstra link 
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, April 03, 2008
The Canadians that attend our ADIA courses usually have many questions regarding how to code for services under their health care system. It always makes me cringe when I have to reply “I’m sorry - I’m not familiar with the Canadian system.” I encourage them to send any information to me or to the ADIA and we’ll distribute it or put together a handout or a course for them. If any readers know of any resources for Canadian dental codes, please send them along. Leave a comment here or email me at: teresaduncan @ verizon.net (take out the spaces - I’m trying to foil the spammers)
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, April 02, 2008
If you’re in the area on April 17th, I’d love to meet you. I’m presenting my seminar What Happened to My Cash Flow? Fraud & Embezzlement in Dentistry link to a study club run by Christine Taxin of Links2Success. Contact me link or Christine link to register for the course. If you’re interested in the seminar for your own study club, send me an email link. I’ll do my best to make it happen!
Read about a past presentation to dental students at the U of MD link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, April 01, 2008
Last Wednesday the deal was completed but the bad news is that most of the sales force was let go including regional managers and a senior director for sales. I like my Lifecore rep so this was bad news to me.
Click here to read my previous post about the purchase of Lifecore link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 31, 2008
The American Academy of Endodontics is seeking to improve the public’s perception of endodontic therapy. Starting April 1st, this week has been designated Root Canal Awareness Week. From a Dentalcompare interview with AAE President John Olmsted:
We need to help the public understand what a root canal is, and how much endodontic treatment has advanced, mainly through the development of all these wonderful new technologies. More and more, patients tell us, "Wow, that was nothing."That’s the message we need to get out there, to calm the public’s fears and expectations.
Read the full article at Dentalcompare in which Dr. Olmsted discusses the future of endodontics. link
Visit Dr. Hales’s Endo Blog to see cases and endo thoughts link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 31, 2008
Dentalcompare link has a very informative discussion on this topic. Although they discuss the use of imaging in the general practice, the discussion keeps coming back to implantology as the use of imaging in our field has exploded. Dr. Bradley Dykstra makes a great point that the learning curve of interpreting volumetric imaging is steep. But even if you don’t have that skill, the patient should know that it’s available. Give it a listen - Practiceworks did a great job bringing together Drs. David Gane, Claudio Levato, Jeff Rohde and Dykstra.
Click here to watch Dentalcompare’s Practiceworks Roundtable link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 31, 2008
The National Association of Dental Laboratories link
has launched a website link to educate dentists and consumers on the dangers of lead-containing dental restorations. “What’s In Your Mouth” link provides links to the latest news stories and a contact form for patients to send in questions.
If you’re not already documenting what’s in your lab restorations, you should start. Put it in the patient’s chart and save or scan the lab slip. Most importantly, call your labs and have the discussion.
Click here to visit the NADL site link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
It’s harder than it seems. We’re expanding our team and looking for a person that is going to fit in and that shares our goals concerning quality patient care. So the advertisement went out. I used Craigslist link again instead of our old stand-by, The Washington Post. The last few times I’ve used Craigslist link, I was very pleased with the results. And for $25 for a 30 day listing - you can’t beat it. The Post’s rates are over $300 for one-shot listing. In a medium that I don’t even use.
Then the resumes start coming in. No experience? Fine - I’ll train the right person. Attitude is everything. Brain power comes in second. Ideally I’d like both in equal measures but, well … I’m still hoping. I’m resisting the urge to email some of the applicants with spelling tips and layout suggestions. Do they even read the resumes before they send them? Maybe the bar is just raised so high for me - the people I work with now are all high achievers, self-motivated - in short, everything I’m looking for. I need a cloning machine.
I can see this turning into a series of posts - I’ll keep you updated on my search.
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Wednesday, March 26, 2008
The American Academy of Periodontology’s latest press release states that:
Researchers found evidence that periodontal disease, or gum disease, may negatively affect an individual’s smiling patterns and deter someone from displaying positive emotions through a smile.
The more symptoms of gum disease a person possesses, the more likely they are to cover their mouth with their hand during laughter or limit how loudly they laugh. Keep this in mind when you talk with your patients. Maybe Mrs. Grumpy is really Mrs. Painful Gums.
Read the AAP’s press release here link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 24, 2008
I’d like to make a personal blog entry … but it is still implant-related! At the ICOI’s most recent Winter Symposium I was awarded Fellowship status in the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries. My membership in the ADIA began in 2005 and I’ve been slowly working my way up to Fellowship status. Last year I received Advanced Certified Implant Auxiliary status link and kept attending CE to meet the Fellowship requirements link. So … mission accomplished and yes, I gave myself a pat on the back after the awards ceremony!
Click here to visit the ADIA’s list of certifications and award requirements. link
Clockwise from upper right:
* With ADIA Director Lynn Mortilla, RDH and Dr. Carl Misch
* With Dr. Alvaro Ordonez in a victory pose
* With Dr. Arun Garg
* With Drs. Kenneth Judy, Ady Palti and Lynn Mortilla
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 24, 2008
In the field of Health Care Wholesalers, Henry Schein, Inc. link won top honors. Pattersonlink took the 7th spot on the list.
From the Schein press release:
Contributing to Henry Schein’s top overall ranking in its industry were number one rankings in seven of the eight key attributes of reputation: innovation, use of corporate assets, quality of management, financial soundness, long-term investment, quality of products/services and social responsibility.
Click here to read the press release link
Click here to read the Fortune Magazine full listlink
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 24, 2008
Live in Madison, WI? Odds are that your teeth are in good health. Lubbock, TX or Philadelphia, PA resident? Not so great odds.
Top Cities:
Madison, WI
Nashville, TN
Raleigh, NC
Bottom Three:
Lubbock, TX
Philadelphia, PA
Spokane, WA
Men’s Health Magazine ranked 100 US cities with categories such as fluoride use, # of permanent tooth extractions, and floss usage. Click here to view the map.link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
I’ve received updates from friends that have attended and it sounds like the tornado was a terrifying moment. The exhibition floor was sectioned off and suppliers could not access their booths due to safety issues. The last day of the meeting was obviously canceled. The aftermath must be surreal - visit the posts below to read about it. I’m thankful that so many people escaped the damage.
Some blogs with pics & experiences:
· The Dental Insider will have supplier comments once they are able to sift thru the mess link
· Dental Economic's editors blog about the experience link
· John Flucke's blog has pictures and commentary link
· Dental Sales Pro has links and comments link
· The news story from Atlanta Journal-constitution link
· Thank you to Dr. Paul Feuerstein linkfor sharing these two links: (updated 3/18)
· Pics of damage to various display areas link
· Pics taken by a rep of the convention center and surrounding areas link
I’ll update with more info as it’s published. If you have any links or pics from your experience, let me know - I’m glad to post them.
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
The AAID’s meeting will take place in San Diego, California. The dates are October 29 - November 2nd, 2008.
Click here to register online and view a preliminary schedule link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, March 18, 2008
This blog gives useful tips on how to market your practice. In this economy, differentiating yourself is more important than ever. If you’re not in a niche market (implants, sedation, neuromuscular, etc.), then your customer service efforts must set you apart from the rest of the pack.
Visit TelltheTooth.com link
Read The Dental Implant Blog… link
TDuncan
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Thursday, March 13, 2008
The ADIA is proud to announce a new team training program coming to a city near you! This program is designed to equip your team with the knowledge and tools to help you take your implant practice to the next level. Click here to download the program (PDF) link
You can view Tesera's Blog at link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
My fellow ADIA member and RDH Magazine columnist, Ann-Marie DePalma has written a guest-post about the benefits of using PreViser Oral Health Information Suite™ in everyday patient care. I truly believe this is where our industry is heading - assessing the patient’s overall health, including risk factors. When periodontal disease takes firm hold, the window of preventive care has closed. My thanks to Ann-Marie for contributing this article!
It’s All About Risk
by Ann-Marie C. DePalma, RDH, MEd, FAADH
In the Journal of Periodontology, vol. 79, #2, the American Academy of Periodontology presents its statement on risk assessment:
As stated in the article, risk assessment has been defined as the process by which qualitative or quantitative assessments are made of the likelihood for adverse events to occur as a result of exposure to specified health hazards or by the absence of beneficial influences. A range of host-related factors can influence onset of clinical presentation and the rate of periodontal disease progression. These factors include but are not limited to:
· Smoking
· Poorly controlled diabetes
· Poor oral hygiene
· Gender
· Positive family history
· Probing depths greater than 6mm
· Gingival bleeding
· Age
· Extent and severity of alveolar bone loss
In addition, certain microorganisms may be risk indicators. Computer tools are being developed that may result in more uniform and accurate periodontal clinical decision making, improved oral health, a reduction in the need for complex therapy and also in health care costs[1]. This information, along with dentistry’s emerging medical/dental connections and the use of minimally invasive dentistry (MI Dentistry), will offer unlimited possibilities to our practices to improve not only a patient’s dental but systemic health. In turn, by providing enhanced clinical and preventive services, the progressive dental practice will enjoy improved productivity, growth and teamwork.
A number of opportunities exist to become involved in risk assessment and MI dentistry. One such potential is the use of PreViser Oral Health Information Suite ™ (OHIS). PreViser OHIS is a risk assessment tool that provides patients and dental practices with information on periodontal disease, oral cancer and caries. Based on scientifically researched algorithms, OHIS provides information in both clinical and patient-friendly terms that dental team members can offer to patients. Additionally, insurance companies are beginning to recognize PreViser, when submitted as D0180 (comprehensive periodontal exam) for reimbursement.
When patients are presented with a “number” similar to their blood pressure or cholesterol levels and the corresponding health or disease status is explained simply and easily to them, they are more apt to follow through with recommended treatment. An increase in office productivity and patient health is seen. Dental team members become more invested in the practice and care of patients.
Dental practices that surgically place, restore or maintain implants know the importance of periodontal health. Educating the patient about periodontal health improves overall patient care and implant success. A win-win for all.
If you are interested in learning more about PreViser OHIS, go to www.previser.com link or contact previseramrdh@aol.com.
TDuncan
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Straumann announced today that Marco Gadola will take a position with a non-dental company later this year. The company is now looking for a suitable replacement.
link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 10, 2008
Patients of Dr. Kyung Boen of MK Dental Clinique now hear a voice mail recording stating that the office is closed and apologizing for the inconvenience. Patient Navella Crane had implants placed and called for a follow-up appointment. That’s when she found out the office had closed. The source article features a quote from Oregon’s Board of Dentistry:
“A dentist simply closing up shop and leaving messages saying ‘thank you, have a nice day we’re gone,” that’s very unusual,” said Oregon Board of Dentistry Executive Director, Patrick Braatz. “That doesn’t happen very often, at least not in the state of Oregon.”
According to OBD public records, Boen’s practice was disciplined last year for an advertisement violation and fined $500. In a case like Crane’s, Braatz said patients’ best options would be to file a complaint with the Board, or seek a malpractice action.
Reminds me of Rosewood Dental in Chicago closing its doors without any notice to their patients. Many patients lost money from Rosewood. I’m sure more patients will come forward from Dr. Boen’s practice.
Read the source article on Dr. Boen link
TDuncan
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Saturday, March 08, 2008
The New York Times has an article on the growing trend of “relaxation dentistry.” More patients are asking about sedation - and if it helps them get over their fear of dental work…well, it may not be such a bad thing.
One patient describes her own dental technique:
"Karen O’Hanley, 45, from Quincy, Mass., was so afraid of the dentist that she avoided the chair for four years, trying to scrape the plaque and stains off her teeth with tweezers."
Tweezers?? That gives me goosebumps.
Read the New York Times article link
Read the Huffington Post article link
TDuncan
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Friday, March 07, 2008
Dr. Dirk Kirsten will join Nobel Biocare as the Chief Financial Officer. He comes from Syngenta, an agricultural company. He will replace Dr. Thomas Bogli. Also Dr. Hans Schmotzer will join Nobel in late 2008 as Head of Research and Development. He is leaving Plus Orthopedics AG.
Read the Nobel press release here (PDF) link
TDuncan
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Thursday, March 06, 2008
Okay - I admit: I have a Google alert set up to send me info on “dental blogs.” When other bloggers write about their dental experiences, it gives me an opportunity to see how our profession is viewed. Here’s two blog entries for your reading pleasure:
An Awesome User Experience - pretty self-explanatory link
Tara’s Orthognathic Adventures - a detailed description of what implant surgery and bone grafting feels like link
An Ounce of Prevention - chastised and now compliant patient link
Dentist Problems - Mom wants to find a new office for her son’s dental work link
Dental Woes - Cracked tooth, the wrong xray, emergency appointment…we’ve all been there link
Dental Desperation - scroll down to the comments, very interesting link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The government is predicting this figure along with a projected spending estimate of $170 billion by 2017.
"As reported in the ADA News, government analysts said total dental spending increased from $86.6 billion in 2005 to $91.5 billion in 2006, a 5.7 percent increase. That’s roughly the annual growth rate projected through 2017, although in the outer years the rate will exceed 6 percent."
Source: ADA.org - click here to read article link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 03, 2008
The Dental Insider is reporting on a story about an investigation of lead found in dental laboratory restorations. An Ohio woman had a reaction to unsafe levels of lead found in her three-unit bridge. The dentist eventually disclosed that he used a Chinese lab. I agree with DI - I think this story is only going to get bigger. Some of you may get questions from your patients about what lab you use. Some may want to see certifications of materials used.
Interesting stuff - read about it by clicking here to visit The Dental Insider. link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 03, 2008
After reading this post, make a point to walk up to your assistant and thank him or her for the job they do. My assisting days are behind me but I have very vivid memories of juggling patients, inventory, phone calls and instruments. My hat is off to assistants who seem to do it effortlessly and always proudly. The assistants I’ve met at seminars are first-rate - mostly because their employer has invested in them. Maybe instead of sending flowers or a gift card you should send them to Professional Dental Assisting 2008 in Norfolk, VA or to an ADIA Symposium. Even better: nominate your assistant for the 3M ESPE Innovative Dental Assistant of the Year Award! link
TDuncan
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Monday, March 03, 2008
A very cool story came out of the University of Texas’s Dental Branch in Houston: a sea turtle named Allison will receive a new flipper and dental implants. I’m not talking about a removable prosthetic or restoring Allison’s bite. The team will attach a new flipper to an implant to help her swim properly. I love it!
Taken from the press release:
“The goal is to design a silicone flipper for Allison, using a mold made from a frozen flipper from a similar turtle as the model,” says Sudarat Kiat-Amnuay, D.D.S., assistant professor at The University of Texas Dental Branch at Houston and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. “We hope to test three different types of facial prosthetic silicones with varying weights and hardness to fabricate the prosthetic flipper, then pick the one that has the closest properties to the real flipper. Once the flipper is made, we would hope to use a dental implant to attach it to her femur, which is about 10 mm in diameter, to retain the prosthetic flipper.”
Click here to read the full story link
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 28, 2008
UOR takes place July 31st - August 2nd in Chicago, IL at the Chicago Hilton. The meeting is an incredible gathering of talent and information. I attended last year’s meeting and had a great time. I encourage you to attend and spread the word about it. Registration is now open. Housing will go fast for the Chicago Hilton so get your room now.
Click here to register for RDH Under One Roof link
TDuncan
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Tuesday, February 26, 2008
MIT’s Technology Review is reporting that Swiss scientist Ludwig Gauckler is developing a surface material that can improve dental implant design and function. The description given is that the nanocomposite is a “strong, light and stretchy” material. The article describes its structure and layering - click to read it here link . I’m not going to attempt to decipher it for you - sorry!
TDuncan
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Monday, February 25, 2008
These acronyms are enough to give you a migraine. Our patients are coming in with these plans so it’s smart business to understand what they mean.
MSA: Medical Savings Account - mostly offered with insurance plans with high deductibles. Contributions made by employer and/or employee
FSA: Flexible Spending Account - “use it or lose it” plan; mostly funded by employee
HRA: Health Reimbursement Account - employer funded plan; reimburses employee for qualified healthcare expenses
HSA: Health Savings Account - offered with high deductible plans; contributions made by employer and/or employee or employee’s family member
Dental plan deductible amounts and any amounts over the plan maximum are usually reimbursable. Patients are coming in with debit cards linked to these MSA and HSA savings plans. FSA & HRA plans require the employee to submit receipts to obtain reimbursement.
Many patients aren’t aware that they have access to these accounts. They may have read it or heard about it at a company meeting but never followed through with funding it. Start asking your patients if they are able to contribute or take advantages of such plans. This can make a big difference when setting up financial arrangements for treatment. I don’t expect your administrative team to know these terms inside out (I still have to double-check the terms) but you need to know that more and more employers are providing these plans as benefits.
TDuncan
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Friday, February 22, 2008
2008 has already been busy for BioHorizons. Earlier they announced a purchase of software imaging system Implant Logic. Now it has merged with dental lab network, DTI Dental Technologies. And just to make sure you’re keeping score - the parent company for every name I just mentioned is HealthPointCapital, a private equity firm.
Sound familiar? Another private equity firm - Warburg Pincus - just agreed to acquire Lifecore Biomedical. It already owns Keystone Dental. Got it? Sometimes I think I need a flowchart.
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
The press release below is from the American Academy of Periodontology and could not be more timely. For a few weeks now, I’ve spent time familiarizing myself with PreViser’s Oral Health Assessment tools. The potential to educate your patients using a visual chart and easily communicated language is invaluable. Patients have gotten used to measuring their health in numbers that we’re all familiar with: cholesterol levels, blood pressure, BMI etc. Now you can discuss three more numbers with them: Oral Cancer Risk , Periodontal Risk and Caries, Root and Fracture Risk. I plan to post more on PreViser as I use it more. Do yourself and your practice a favor - look into them.
Statement intended to help dental professionals better manage patients’ oral health
CHICAGO (February 19, 2008) – As part of its ongoing commitment to the prevention and treatment of periodontal diseases, The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) recently released a Statement on Risk Assessment. Published in the February issue of the Journal of Periodontology, the statement is intended to encourage dental professionals to use risk assessment as a key component of all comprehensive dental and periodontal evaluations.
Research has demonstrated that a variety of factors can influence the development, presentation and progression of periodontal disease. These risk factors include smoking, poor oral hygiene, the presence of other disease states, such as diabetes or heart disease, gender, age and number of missing teeth. Assessing the patient’s risk factors allows the dental professional to better predict the likelihood that the patient will develop periodontal disease and can assist in prevention or early identification of the disease.
“It is advantageous for a dental professional to evaluate a patient’s various risk factors for periodontal disease,” explains Dr. Susan Karabin, President of the AAP. “Considering risk factors as part of the treatment planning process allows for proactive management of the patient’s oral health, and can potentially reduce the need for more complex periodontal procedures in the future. The AAP statement hopes to compel more dental professionals to take a full inventory of their patients’ health, especially any applicable risk factors, when determining the best course of treatment.”
While additional research is needed to determine the specific predictive value of individual risk factors on a patient’s periodontal health, preliminary studies have suggested that proactive, targeted treatment may ultimately reduce a patient’s risk for aggressive disease and may reduce overall health care costs.
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
If you will be in town for the Chicago Midwinter meeting, plan to attend a reception hosted by Drs. Chris Kammer and Julian Holmes on this topic. Here are the details:
Dates: 21st, 22nd, 23rd February 2008
Times: 21st, pm, 22nd all day, 23rd all day
Location: East Tower, Hyatt Hotel, The Lime Suite
Registration is Required. Call 608-395-9289 for details or email Colin at colin@limetechnologies.net
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
HOUSTON , TX : February 18, 2008 — Global Practice Solutions, LLC announces the formation of a new sales organization of trained representatives specializing and high tech and upscale dental equipment. The organization currently consists of 18 professional sales representatives who sell exclusively through dental dealers. Global Practice Solutions covers all major dental markets across the U.S.
Global Practice Solutions (GPS) is headquartered in Houston . “Our goal is to assist manufacturers of upper end dental equipment and high technology products such as dental lasers, as well as international companies selling in the U.S. market,” says Jack Miller, President of GPS.
GPS will be representing Camsight videoscopes and MyRay digital x-ray products and is in discussions with several other companies. “We will be accepting a limited number of new product lines,” says Miller, “I plan to hold discussions with prospective companies during the Chicago Midwinter meeting.”
For further information, call 281-655-8380 or email Jack Miller at jmiller@gpssurgical.com.
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
What does this mean for your practice? Many more patients will be able to afford bisphosphonates. At the ADIA’s recent symposium, Dr. Jon Suzuki spoke at length on this topic and osteoporosis in your dental patients. Did you know that there is a 25% mortality rate for patients admitted to hospitals with hip fractures? That’s scary - no wonder so many doctors are prescribing bisphosphonate treatment.
Keep an eye out for a possible rise in cases of bone-related osteonecrosis of the jaw. It just makes sense…more users - more side-effects. Dr. Suzuki advised offices to submit all cases of osteonecrosis to the Food & Drug Administration so that drug interactions (and contraindications) can be tracked. I’d like to thank Dr. Suzuki for being so gracious when I introduced myself to him. Finally - I was able to attend one of his lectures (after four attempts!) It was worth the wait.
On a side note, the FDA is currently investigating a possible link between serious atrial fibrillation and bisphosphonates. Results will be made available in late 2008. Anyone remember Fen-Phen? Get ready to change your medical history forms. Again.
TDuncan
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Saturday, February 16, 2008
Earlier this week Jack Gallagher, Ultreo’s link CEO, stepped down for personal reasons. Also some of the sales force was let go as Ultreo announced that they would shift their focus to “more on digital marketing, rather than door-to-door sales.” Let’s see what the future holds for Ultreo’s toothbrush.
Read about it on John Cook’s Blog link.
TDuncan
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Thursday, February 14, 2008
In one week the 143rd Chicago MidWinter meeting will begin and run through the weekend. One of the largest meetings in the dental sphere, this is an ideal showcase for product launches. Expect to read about new technological offerings both here and over at Dentalcompare. I’m sure that Editorial Director Steven Diogo and the rest of the editors for the Learning Centers will write about the latest and greatest after the show.
Click here link to visit the site and register for the Chicago Midwinter
TDuncan
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Wednesday, February 13, 2008
This past Saturday I co-presented the ADIA’s Practice Management Implant Certification Course with Karen Young. The portion on insurance was expanded but about 30 minutes into the presentation, I realized that this topic could use a 2 hr treatment. Who on Earth would want to talk about implant insurance for 2 hours?? Most of the crowd - it turns out. We talked bone grafting, surgical guides and implant codes … I’d love to turn this course into a roundtable for more experienced administrators. So much knowledge in one room - I wanted to pick all of their brains!
Many of the attendees had over 10 years of experience in practice management - that’s a pretty advanced group. My hat is off to Kathy - she had 38 years of dental experience! It’s always a pleasure to have an enthusiastic crowd - I very much enjoyed meeting all of them. Of course, it helps to have someone as charismatic as Karen to warm them up!