As the old saying goes; “If you’re not growing, you are dying”. Constant and never-ending progress is the root cause of all success and fulfillment. The one percent of the population who succeed at the highest level all have one thing in common; they are willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. … Read more
As gum disease originates from an unbalanced film of bacteria under the gum line, why don’t we use local or systemic antibiotics to treat this chronic disease? Turns out that is what the studies are starting to suggest. Besides mechanical debridement (called scaling and root planing) of the “wound” (the inflamed gum pockets), the scientific … Read more
Drugs to relieve mood disorders (depression, anxiety) are the most prescribed medications for Canadians in their 30s, 40s and 50s, according to data published by Green Shield Canada. An American study published in 2005 showed that adults taking antidepressants had significantly more fillings and crowns than healthy controls — as much as 60% more when … Read more
Modern vector template for your business project
What follows are excerpts from popular article in a leading international newspaper called the Guardian. This article shows how and why your older patients are now more informed about their oral health, and why they say “overall health” is their primary reason they sit in your waiting room. “In the past decade, there has been … Read more
“5 Success Factors To Better Compete” For many dental offices, the business year correlates to the calendar year. Here we are at Q4 and it’s time to be strategizing and executing on business growth initiatives to finish the year strong, while also establishing momentum for a fast start in 2016. If attracting more new patients … Read more
This was a recent headline in the Los Angeles Times. The article outlines a new California law that authorizes dental hygienists to treat cavities without a dentist on site by placing low-cost, temporary fillings. The temporary fillings applied by the hygienist are called interim therapeutic restorations. They require no drilling or anesthetic and can be … Read more
Be aware of the little habits that make a big difference.. Below are some common reasons that dental practices run behind. Identify if any apply to your practice and then discuss at the next team meeting to brainstorm solutions. 1. Starting late at the beginning of the day 2. Don’t audit charts prior to the … Read more
Move great ideas forward….. Ever have a great idea bubbling in your brain that you share with one or two colleagues throughout the day? An idea to minimize tasks, bring new patients to your practice or how to save on expenses? Sharing your idea with one or two people usually means that’s as far as … Read more
Recently, I reviewed the spending on healthcare benefits by a mid-sized Canadian employer. In particular, I looked at the dental plan and the drug plan. Here is what I found: dental spending grew by 12% over the past year at a time when the number of employees was stable dental spending surpassed the combined cost … Read more
What are the top 10 tips? Tip #1: Act as a role model and inspire employees to identify what they are passionate about at work. Then provide them with some projects in their area of passion or interest. A happy employee is a motivated employee! Tip #2: Clearly define the organization’s vision, mission and strategy … Read more
A recent survey of American adults found that 1 in 4 did not purchase needed dental care last year, because they couldn’t afford this service. Dentistry was, amongst all healthcare services, the least affordable (see chart). And this was when the American dental waiting rooms have never been emptier, and dental incomes at their … Read more
To view this image, please click on the link: https://www.ekwa.com/infographic/oral-health-infographic-2.jpg
A Scottish study of over 11,000 adults tracked over 8 years found that frequent brushing of the teeth significantly lowered the risks of having a coronary event (e.g. heart attack). This association allowed for other risk factors for heart disease such as socio-economic status, obesity and family history. Note that participants who did not brush … Read more
Ensure patient confidence with this post-hygiene system… EVERY DENTIST HAS experienced it: a choppy hygiene report that createschaos, patient confusion and a ripple effect of schedule delays. When it becomes chronic, it has a deleterious effect on your entire operation. How to fix this common but potentially dire problem? As with just about every aspect … Read more
Treatment of acute dental problems in the Emergency Department of hospitals has been growing relentlessly in Canada and the US for several years. A new study in Health Affairs shows that dental visits are impacted by government coverage of dental services for those on low income. Withdrawal of such dental coverage results in a higher … Read more
The impact of today’s technology on your business… Social Networking is the dialogue used by one or all of the above to converse, communicate and contribute online. Social networking can re-connect someone with their past, update today’s world on your daily events, share opinions, experiences and insights to a virtual friendship that can reach many … Read more
This (shocking) statistic was recently released by the US CDC. How does this level of under-treatment compare to untreated diabetes or hypertension, 2 other prevalent chronic conditions in America? A study published in 2011 found that 2.4% of American diabetics were untreated. A study published in Hypertension in 1995 reported that about 30% of American … Read more
Andre Picard, the Globe’s healthcare columnist, recently wrote an article on the aging population’s impact on overall Canadian healthcare. But what about the impact of the aging Boomers on the dental care system? Many of you will already know — the older the patient, the less likely they are regular attenders and the more likely … Read more
Andre Picard, the Globe’s healthcare columnist, recently wrote an article on the aging population’s impact on overall Canadian healthcare. But what about the impact of the aging Boomers on the dental care system? Many of you will already know — the older the patient, the less likely they are regular attenders and the more likely … Read more