Top Stories of the Week

1) Dentists: Is Your Waiting Room Ready for H1N1? Jim Du Molin & The Wealthy Dentist Blog discussed some of the changes dentists are making within their practices to combat the spread of H1N1…Are you making any efforts to reduce the spread of H1N1 in your practice?

2) Ten Tips for Year-End Dental Tax Planning If you’re not actively engaged in your tax planning, you should be. Tim Lott, CPA, CVA, discusses 10 important tax planning considerations to be thinking about before the end of the year…

3) Is a mouthguard helping New Orleans win football games?If you watched Monday Night Football a week ago today, you may remember the commentators highly touting the mouthguards worn by New Orleans Saints players. Makers of the mouthguard, Makkar Athletics Group, claim that the mouthguard helps Saints players “jump higher and play better”. Read more about the Pure Power mouthguards in this article by Kevin Henry of Dental Economics…

4) The New Role of Today’s Dental Team Linda Miles, founder of Linda Miles and Associates, discusses the importance of consistently displaying high energy levels within your practice in everything that you do to create a great patient experience…

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

Top Stories of the Week

1) Why block scheduling is important Watch as Dr. Michael Schuster of The Schuster Center explains the importance of block scheduling to Kevin Henry, editor of Dental Assisting Digest and Assistant Editor of Dental Economics Magazine.

2) Missed Appointments Waste 10% of Dentists’ Time The Wealthy Dentist Blog recently explored the impact of missed appointments on a dental practice. The finding: missed appointments waste 10% of dentists’ time. Read dentist reactions and discover tips for dealing with patients who miss appointments…

3) Does marketing make you feel dirty? It’s no secret, most dentists hate marketing. Most dentists want to focus on what they do best – practice dentistry. If you’re in this camp, and marketing makes you feel “dirty” read on to learn why it shouldn’t…

4) How To PERK Up in a Down Economy
The Dental Coach©, Ronald F. Arndt, explains his “PERK” approach to dental practice management in not only a down economy, but any economy…

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

Top 5 Stories of the Week

1) Five Steps You Need to Follow To Protect Your Practice From a Network Disaster Technology fanatic, Lorne Lavine, DMD, discusses in this post three primary reasons dentists do not back up their data, and five simple steps for hopping aboard the backup train.

2) I dated a patient Renee Knight, Senior Editor of DentalProductsReport.com, explores in this steamy post the right way to date a patient. Yes, apparently there is a right way…

3) Linda Miles & Dr. Rhonda Savage on Dental Benefit Plans This informative post over at Dentalblogs.com explores the frustration that both staff and doctors share with regards to dental benefit plans. However, the authors also provide a template for minimizing some of this frustration when dealing with insurance patients.

4) Dentists Want a Dental License That’s National The Wealthy Dentist Blog reports in this post that 86% of survey respondents indicated that they are in favor of “universal licensure” for dentists. Read on to see what respondents cited as their reasons for promoting a national dental license…

5) Understanding “Return on Investment” The Azimuth Dental Blog tackles the confusion surrounding the acronym, ROI, or Return on Investment. Think you know exactly what that means, read this post to make sure…

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

Top 5 Stories of the Week

1) Is the ADA more interested in Dental Specialists than General Dentists? The Wealthy Dentist Blog asked dentists this question in a recent survey. You may be surprised by the results…

2) Marketing your dental practice without taking a bite out of your budget Dr. Gary Solomon suggests ways to market your practice that require thought and creativity, not money.

3) The hole truth about tooth worms Richard Palmer discusses how the Scanning Electron Microscope(SEM) has shed new light on these mysterious figures.

4) Why you should stop trying to sell to your patients Read why the Azimuth Dental team recommends that you stop trying to sell to your patients. This is sure to be controversial, but thought-provoking as well.

5) 10 factors that contribute to staff satisfaction Rebecca Boartfield and Tim Twigg share with us the results of numerous employee satisfaction surveys. Is your practice focusing on these factors to attract and retain your employees? If not, start immediately.

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

Whatever the reason may be, Twitter’s reach is undeniable. Some companies have replaced their corporate website address with their Twitter address on advertising materials. Major news networks are engaging with viewers via Twitter live on the air. I’ve even had a number of people provide their Twitter username in their e-mail signatures. I could go on and on.

If you have not yet taken the leap to join Twitter, I would caution you to evaluate whether doing so will be beneficial for you. Many people reluctantly sign up because everyone else is doing it. That’s not a good reason to get involved. You’ll just end up frustrated and abandon the service within a couple of days. Why waste your time?

However, for those of you who are already actively engaging with other people on Twitter, I’ve compiled a list(in no particular order) of 30 great dental pros I’m following on Twitter (You should too).

30 Great Dental Pros I Follow on Twitter

1. drbicuspid
2. SteffanyMohan
3. OralHealthcare
4. jablow
5. AnastasiaRDH
6. DentalProducts
7. DentistryIQ
8. Dentrix
9. practiceworks
10. DPRlive
11. Identalhub
12. TheAACD
13. nicedentist
14. webdental
15. Dentra
16. GetDentistJobs
17. markoborn
18. dentalcompare
19. therabreath
20. Dentistnet
21. dentalinsider
22. AboutDentistry
23. DenTek
24. teresaduncan
25. PERI_Educates
26. top3dentists
27. jflucke
28. kgh23
29. 1800DENTIST
30. dentaladvisor
31. Oh yeah, don’t forget to follow Dental Heroes as well. dentalheroes

Add to the List

I know there are many more dental pros out there using Twitter. Please leave the Twitter username of any dental pros not on this list that you think should be in a comment below.

The List

1) Working Interviews: Dentists, Beware the Pitfalls! – Human resource advisor Barbara Freet, PHR, presents a special feature about how working interviews for hiring dental professionals can be a lot more complicated than it might seem…

2) Air Techniques Spectra Receives FDA Approval John C. Flucke, DDS, Editor of Dental Products Report magazine, noted that Air Techniques Spectra just received approval by the FDA. Dr. Flucke reports that the Air techniques Spectra is the only high-tech device that can find decay visually. For more Spectra information, visit the Air Techniques website.

3) What medical can do for dental Renee Knight, Senior Editor of DentalProductsReport.com, explains in this post why dentists should run their practice in accordance with the evidence-based medical model.

4) The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons(AAOMS) Position on Diprivan (Propofol) Shawn Watson, Dentistry Guide at About.com, discusses the AAOMS position regarding the drug, Diprivan (Propofol). Shawn underscores mounting concerns over the availability and administration of agents of this nature. You may remember that this drug has been linked to the death of the late Michael Jackson.

5) Oral Healthcare Can’t Wait…The New PSA Kevin Henry talks to Gary Price, the CEO of the Dental Trade Alliance about a new campaign that is targeting dental teams, patients, and the dental trade. For more information about this campaign, visit the Oral HealthCare Can’t Wait website.

…and there you have it. There’s a look at the top stories coming out of the Dental Blog Community this week. Look for a brand new list next week!

Are we missing anything?

Did you read an interesting dental-related blog post this past week? I certainly can’t hit on them all, so please share what you found in a comment below.

#5. McDonalds Dental Ad

I can safely say that next to the Michael Jordan VS Larry Bird “Nothin’ But Net” commercials of the 90′s, this is my favorite McDonald’s commercial of all time.

#4. David After Dentist

This video is one of the most controversial videos of the year posted to Youtube. Appartently, some folks equate this video to child abuse(Read the Today Show’s Analysis of the video). I disagree. In my mind the video is simply chronicalling a funny event in David’s life that the family can look back on and have a good laugh with in the future. I do, however, admit that uploading the video to Youtube while apparently unaware of the viral nature of the site is downright naive and stupid. Nevertheless, lighten up and laugh.

#3. Bill Cosby at the Dentist

In this video, Bill Cosby entertains the crowd with his depiction of a visit to the dentist. Excuse me while I go look for some Cosby Show reruns on TV.



#2. MadTV’s Lorraine Goes to the Dentist

While this is the racier of the videos on the list, it’s just too funny to pass up. If you think you’ve seen nightmare dental patients, check out this video.



#1. Tim Conway – The Dentist on the Carol Burnett Show

I’m sure most of you have seen this epic comedy sketch from the Carol Burnett Show. The dynamic duo, Tim Conway and Harvey Corman provide non-stop laughs in what has the be the #1 dental comedy video of all time.



Your Favorites?

Which video did you like the best from this list? Do you have a favorite not on this list? Please share.

As I’ve preached in previous posts, your oral health depends on regular flossing – simply brushing is not enough. If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of flossing, my friends at About.com Dentistry have put together a nice article on the topic, “Flossing Teeth – How often Should I floss my teeth?“.

If you don’t currently floss your teeth, or you’re having a hard time doing it consistently, I recent came across a new website that can help you to remember. The site, flossedtoday.com, allows you to enter your cell phone number to receive a daily notification reminding you to floss your teeth. Oh yeah, it’s FREE. To receive your daily reminder, visit the flossedtoday.com sign up page. Happy flossing!

New breed of Oral Health Products

Representing a new breed in oral health products, GUM® PerioBalance™ is specifically formulated to provide oral health benefits by balancing the oral environment. It does this with the help of probiotics, a form of “good” bacteria which can help your body’s natural defense against a variety of common ailments, including oral health problems. As Sunstar put it, the probiotics found in GUM® PerioBalance™ is “designed to rebalance the oral environment”. If you’d like to read further about the benefits of probiotics, a great article recently appeared in the Wall Street Journal.

Clinical Sudies Report Good Results

Recent clinical studies have indicated that the probiotics found in GUM® PerioBalance™ are indeed helpful for balancing the oral environment. In fact, studies have shown a 42 percent decrease in moderate-to-severe plaque after 28 days when GUM® PerioBalance™ has been taken as directed. Sunstar was nice enough to send me a 28-day supply(one box) of GUM® PerioBalance™ for review, and I can confirm that my plaque levels were noticeably reduced after the 28 day trial period.

Incorporate GUM® PerioBalance™ into your daily Regimen

One thing to note about GUM® PerioBalance™ is that it’s not a magic bullet. You can’t cease all other parts of your oral care routine and expect the results described above. Instead, GUM® PerioBalance™ should be used as a supplement to your existing brushing, flossing, mouth washing routine to see the oral environment balancing benefits.

Physical Product Facts

GUM® PerioBalance™ is currently available in a fresh mint flavored lozenge(dissolves under tongue). I found the lozenge to be quite potent. The taste was great, but strong enough that I had to shift it around under my tongue to avoid discomfort. Each box of GUM® PerioBalance™ comes with 28 lozenges – so just about a month’s supply.

Try it for yourself

If you’d like to give GUM PerioBalance a try, we recommend purchasing from Amazon.com below.

It amazes me how quickly Crest has been able to push out new whitening products in the last few years. They’re at it again with a new whitening product that just debuted last week called Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal. I’m actually pretty excited about these strips in particular because they feature a new “advanced seal” technology that adheres the strips to your teeth like never before – or so that’s the claim. Crest illustrates the “adhering power” of the Advanced Seal strips this way:

With revolutionary new Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal, life doesn’t stop just because you’re whitening. Its groundbreaking adhesive formulation holds the Whitestrips in place, so you can whistle along with the radio, take a shower, and even drink water while you whiten!

Visit the Crest website for more information on Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal.

$7.00 Off Coupon

To promote Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal, Crest is offering a coupon for $7.00 the purchase price. Unfortunately, Crest has decided to make us go through a couple more hoops to claim coupons now, but it’s still worth it for the discount. To claim your coupon, you will need to fill out a somewhat cumbersome registration form at Proctor & Gamble’s Everyday Solutions website. Here, you can claim your $7.00 coupon and a free sample of the product. Kind of a pain, but quite worth it.

If you’re interested in purchasing Crest Whitestrips Advanced Seal, I’d recommend purchasing it from Amazon.com.

My Favorite Items on the List

It wasn’t easy, but the next 5 items were the most interesting(read “strange”) items
on TendHunter’s list.

1. Ice-Cream Flavored Toothpaste

The available flavors are: Banilla Bling, Cha Cha Chocolate, Blingside(orange & vanilla), and Baby Bling(fluoride-free vanilla). Ice Cream-Flavored Toothpaste

2. Dental Tatoos

Yes, you read that right. When your skin is not enough…get a dental tatoo.

3. Visual Dental Product Surgeries

You’re probably re-reading this heading several times trying to figure out what I’m talking about. Well, I think you’ll just have to see them for yourself(hint: scalpal meets toothpaste tube)…visual dental product surgeries.

4. Grills for your Fangs

Bet you can’t wait until your daughter comes home with a set of these on. They’re like jewels for your teeth. The inventor thought it would be cute to call them Jawels. How classy. Grills for your fangs

5. Tooth Implant=Medication Distribution System?

Really. A company called IntelliDrug has developed a tooth implant that stores your medications in liquid form and delivers a doctor-programmed shot at timed intervals. Wow. Check out IntelliDrug’s innovation.

There you have it – my top 5. There are 37 items in the list so why not take a few minutes to check them out.

Your Strangest Dental Innovations

Have you seen a wacky tooth innovation not on TrendHunter’s list? Which was your favorite and why? Leave your comments below.

Delta Dental has launched what it has dubbed “The 10,000 Smiles Project.” The concept here is simple. Delta wants to collect 10,000 photos of people smiling. That’s it. If you have a picture of yourself smiling, submit it. Why? Well, if Delta reaches their goal of receiving 10,000 photos of people smiling, they will donate $10,000 to the National Head Start Program, an organization that helps to develop vulnerable and underprivileged children. This is a good cause and it only takes a couple of seconds to submit a photo. So, submit one if you can.

Submit photo to Delta Dental 10,000 Smiles Project

You may also be interested in the press release.

In any event, I’ve put together a small collection of dental-related blogs that cover all sorts of topics: from dental technology to innovative methods for curing bad breath, these sites have you covered. I highly recommend you check all of them out.

1. The Digital Dentist Blog

Visit the Digital Dentist Blog

2. Dental Blogs Blog

Visit the Dental Blogs Blog

3. About.com Dentistry Blog

Visit the About.com Dentistry Blog

4. Worldental.org

Visit the Worldental.org

5. DentalBlogging.com

Visit the Dentalblogging.com

What’s Your Favorite Dental Blog

Do you have a favorite dental blog not in this list that you think other Dental Heroes readers would enjoy. Let us know about it in the comments section.

Why have gold prices risen so much

Why? Well, that has been debated by economists because it really transcends the law of supply and demand. The demand for gold has actually dropped as the U.S. economy has slowed in recent months. According to Slate.com, the reason for the increase in price of gold is primarily the result of speculation.

While consumers are reacting to expensive gold by demanding less of it and recycling more, investors are reacting by bidding up the price further…

What do rising gold prices mean at the dentist’s office

This is probably pretty office, but you can expect your fees for fillings, crowns, or other dental work requiring precious metals to take a sizable bite out of your pocketbook. For example, in an article I read in the Houston Chronicle, Dr. Frank Incrapera said, “A gold crown that would have cost $600 three years ago can cost as much as $1,000 today, said Houston dentist Dr. Frank Incrapera.” Ouch! It’s important to note that dentists aren’t inflating the prices of these precious metals, they’re simply passing on the increase in acquisition costs to you, the consumer.

How to avoid paying top dollar for gold dental work

Simple. Don’t buy gold crowns or fillings if you want to avoid paying an arm and a leg. You can opt for porcelain materials, but most dentists will still use some gold underneath the porcelain crowns. So, it’ll be tough to completely avoid gold, but you can reduce your cost significantly by using other materials.

How do you reduce expenses at the dentist

Do you have any specific methods for reducing expenses at your dentist?

With access to quality, affordable dental care increasingly limited, I find it vitally important to discuss the cost-saving benefits of what is known as a discount dental plan. But, before I do, let me explain why.

100+ Million Americans Without Dental Coverage

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, more than 100 million Americans are currently living without any form of affordable dental care coverage. This is certainly an alarming number considering the widely accepted link between dental health and overall health.

The National Association of Dental Plans(NADP) considers discount dental plans as a viable, cost-effective alternative to traditional dental insurance: “With an estimated 45 percent of Americans not having any type of dental coverage, and the dental insurance marketplace offering few, affordable dental products for individuals, discount dental plans are an attractive answer to the need to reduce consumer out-of-pocket costs and increase access to care.”

What is a Discount Dental Plan

Though, I’ve written several posts in the past about discount dental plans, I’ll briefly mention the essentials. A discount dental plan is a discount plan, not insurance, that entitles you to discounts on most dental procedures at a local dentist. Depending on the plan you select, you can save 10%-60% on most dental procedures. The savings can add up quickly even on x-rays and fillings.

There are no forms to fill out, everyone is accepted, you can choose from over 100,000+ participating dentists, and there are more than 30+ high quality plans to choose from. If you don’t have traditional dental insurance, or your self-employed, you can see how helpful a discount dental plan could be for you.

So, how much do they cost? Typically, for an individual plan you’ll pay around $80/yr and $130/yr for a family plan. With just a few visits to the dentist its easy to see that you’ll have more than payed off the cost of the plan for the entire year. Well worth it in my opinion.

How to Find a Local Plan

Believe it or not, finding a discount dental plan is actually really easy. I would recommend, however, that you take the time to browse the benefits and restrictions(if any) associated with each plan. Also make sure that the plan you choose has dentists in your area that accept your plan.

Step 1

Visit DentalPlans.com(Aff)

Step 2

Enter your zip code into the zip code search box on the right side of the homepage.

Step 3

Browse and compare plans available in your area. Be sure to look at each plan’s fee schedule to determine which dental procedures receive discounts and the extent of the discount. Choose a plan.

Step 4

Once you have selected a discount dental plan, click the big blue “Join this Program” button.

Step 5

After clicking the “Join this Program” button, you’ll be brought to this screen. This is just notifying you that you’ve added a discount dental plan to your cart. On this screen, you’ll also see the plan type you selected(individual or family), as well as the final price of the plan. Make sure that this information is correct and look down the page to the “Apply Discount(Optional) form on the left.

At this point, type in DPP10 in the coupon code box to save 10% off the final price of your plan – compliments of DentalHeroes.com

Click the “New Member Checkout” button to enter the billing information page.

Step 6

Finally, fill out the billing information form and choose to pay by credit card, eCheck, or by mail. You’re Finished! Within 1 to 3 days your plan will be activated so you can begin receiving the discounts according to your plan’s fee schedule at any participating dentist that accepts your plan.

Get Started

To get started, visit ourDental Plan Card site.

Important Note: DentalPlans.com is the premier discount dental plan broker on the net. They’ve contracted with more than 30 national and regional discount dental plan providers to provide you with an environment where you can quickly and easily access an compare information for each of the plans.

Brushing your teeth is an important part of keeping your mouth healthy, right? Well, it depends.
It’s generally accepted within the dental community that brushing 2-3 times each day is the optimal amount of toothbrushing for reducing plaque, keeping gums healthy, etc. However, more and more dentists across the United States and several other countries are noticing a disturbing trend appropriately known as “over-brushing”.

Signs of Over-Brushing

According to a Huffington Post article, by Suzette Standring, the trend has been present for the past few decades, and is now at an all-time high. Dr. Valdemar Welz, a Boston dentist who has run his own practice for over 30 years, says “Everybody is seeing it in their practice.” The signs of over rushing are not difficult to spot. Dr. Welz says that the 2 most common indicators of over-brushing are: heightened tooth sensitivity and tooth enamel damage.

It’s Not the Toothbrushes’ Fault

You may be wondering what causes the nasty effects produced by over brushing. Well, contrary to what some of you may be thinking, it’s not the toothbrush causing the heightened sensitivity and reduction in tooth enamel. Blame it on the toothpaste. Dentists speculate that the tooth-whitening craze in recent years has spawned a great number of abrasive toothpastes on the market. Dental product companies are engaged in a cutthroat battle for tooth whitening toothpaste supremacy. As a result, some harsh and unsafe products are flooding the market. The effects of harsh toothpaste are compounded by the excessive amount of toothpaste and vigorous brushing habits of the average brusher.

Don’t be a Victim of Over Brushing

Thankfully, avoiding over-brushing is not difficult. A little common sense goes a long way in this case. The first recommendation I have is to heed your dentist’s advice first and foremost. If your dentist recommends you brush 3 times per day, brush 3 times per day. Secondly, do not use excessive amounts of toothpaste. Most dental professionals recommend using only a pea-sized amount of toothpaste with each brushing. That’s all that’s needed to do the trick. Finally, for all you powerbrushers out there, slow down and be gentle(but not too gentle). Too much pressure is never good, but you also want to make sure you’re really brushing the teeth, gums, and tongue adequately.

While it seems counter-intuitive when dentists preach moderation when it comes to brushing your teeth, the disturbing trend of over brushing is very real. The consequences can be a nuisance at best: heightened sensitivity and eroded tooth enamel. Not fun at all – and could potentially lead to further oral problems. So, if you’re experiencing either of these conditions, check with your dentist as soon as possible to rule out more serious oral health problems.

Further Over-Brushing Resources

For further information regarding “over-brushing”, you may want to check out Suzette Standrings article in the Huffington Post, “Too Much Toothpaste Damages Teeth“. CBS5.com also published an informative news segment on “over brushing“. Finally, if you have more questions about brushing, we advise that you ask a professional dentist in Toronto for more information!

Stuart Meets the Tooth Fairy

Please take a few seconds to respond with a simple “yes” or ” no” in the poll below. Thanks.

This announcement comes as no surprise as the dental community has for several years now been exposing the explicit link between oral health and overall health. However, the link between oral health in pregnant mothers and the overall health of their unborn child is a relatively recent discovery.

Specifically, the ADA research suggests:

“there may be an association between maternal gum disease and pre-term birth and low birth weight babies. In addition, a recent study says that pregnant women with gum disease may be more likely to develop gestational diabetes.”

Without this information, pregnant women have placed dental care low on their list of priorities during pregnancy. These studies may change that.

How should women care for their oral health during pregnancy?

Sally Cram, D.D.S., ADA consumer advisor and periodontist in Washington, D.C. suggests:

“If you are planning a pregnancy, schedule a dental checkup for a cleaning. If you are pregnant, continue your regular dental visits. Be sure to inform your dentist if you are pregnant or suspect you might be pregnant. In addition to regular dental visits, the ADA recommends eating a well-balanced diet, maintaining daily oral hygiene by brushing teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and cleaning between teeth at least once a day with floss or an interdental cleaner.(Source: ADA.com)”

The link between a pregnant mother’s oral health and her unborn child’s overall health is becoming stronger by the day. Therefore, it is important to follow Dr. Sally Cram’s advice and contact your dentist as soon as possible if you are pregnant or expect to become pregnant.

For more information, please visit the ADA website at Ada.com

The AVIA Dental Plan is worthy of our “Dental Plan of the Month” distinction for several reasons.
Just have a look at some of this plans’ benefits below:

• Affordable dental plans starting at only $8.00 a month
• Acceptance Guaranteed- No one will be denied
• No Wait! Sign up today-start receiving discounts immediately
• Save up to 50% on your dental expenses, our fee schedules are lower than most dental plans
• No limits on the number of visits to your dentist

However, the benefits doesn’t stop there. In fact, it also offers discount prescription and discount vision services as well.

The best part is, the AVIA Dental Plan is available to virtually everyone – individuals, families, and groups of all sizes.

We urge you to have a look for youself at the AVIA Dental Plan, our “Dental Plan of the Month”.