The Holidays are a time of year for celebration. Time to spend with family and friends. It can also be a time of reflection. Many of us will look back on “the year that was” to celebrate our successes. We will also use it as a time to look forward to the year ahead and … Read more
It’s been said that there is no health without mental health—the truth of this statement is difficult to refute. Mental illness presents a serious barrier to receiving good health care and dental care is no exception. The enormity of this public health concern becomes clear when you consider that, at any moment in Canada, mental … Read more
Forget trying to lose weight for the next selfie on Instagram – get healthy and fit to boost productivity and mental clarity. You see being physically fit has major physiological benefits that go far beyond fitting into your skinny jeans. Exercise scientists have demonstrated that a fit body supports boundless energy, a more robust immune … Read more
The new dental hygiene graduate is filled with enthusiasm and the promise of the future but their path can be full of landmines if they do not have life balance. This article was designed to provide support for a busy new professional and equally exciting personal life. The new graduate may be saddled with heavy … Read more
When will the loss of life due to suicide begin to decline? In 2018 the CDCA released a study which showed an increase in suicide rates in every state except Nevada. Don’t get too excited about moving to Nevada, she remains in the top five states with the highest rates. Fifty percent of the states … Read more
Today’s unpredictable, uncertain and rapidly changing world demands that more attention than ever be paid to you mental health, physical health and ”fiscal” health. Here are three steps you can follow to improve your fiscal health: 1. Responsibility – You have a certain amount of responsibility for your own financial wellness. No one can do … Read more
Three news items crossed my desk in the past month. All seem to point to a future for dentistry which features more specialization around managing the cause of poor oral health. One news item was a video interview with a number of dental opinion leaders in Minnesota, about the emerging role of dental therapists. Dental … Read more
Imagine if you shopped at Walmart and there was only one size of sweater, one variety of milk, or when you went to buy cereal, all it carried was Corn Flakes.And you grumbled to yourself that you would like some prices more in keeping with your family’s budget and needs.That is the approach taken, by … Read more
American doctors will increasingly be paid according to the outcome of the healthcare services they deliver. Just seeing the patient will no longer be sufficient for payment by the insurer or Medicare/Medicaid. Rather, it is the results from medical services which matter. Recently, a panel of federal government and insurers released seven groups of measures, … Read more
The easiest and most effective way to highlight your commitment to oral health… Last week, we discussed that the future growth of the hygiene department is based on the foundational truth that oral health is the gateway to overall body wellness. You can’t have a healthy body without a healthy mouth. When you consider the … Read more
As of 2015, for the first time, Canada has more people over the age of 65 than under 15. The age group that now encompasses the boomer generation – 50 to 69 – makes up 27 per cent of the population, compared with 18 per cent in that age group two decades ago. The number … Read more
A new study of the contribution of the periodontal microbe, P. gingivalis, to inflammation of heart tissue is just one more step to justifying closer integration of dental services with medical services. The study reports certain byproducts of P. gingivalis regulate the inflammatory cascade which gives rise to atherosclerosis. Good science for sure, but what … Read more
A new study reports that nearly half of falls by older folks are caused by an infection. Falls are one of the leading cause of death for those over 75 years of age, due to complications arising from a fracture. So what kind of infections are involved? 44% were urinary tract infections, 39% were bloodstream … Read more
Surpassing the “been there, done that” dental visit … Numerous studies have shown that the way patients rate their level of satisfaction with services provided is largely based on the depth of emotional connection they have received. Patients rate connection and care as “very important” on the scale of what they expect. Visiting the dentist … Read more
Turning inquiries into appointments.. Dental administration team members are truly the “Directors of the First Impression” for new patients, and they have approximately 17 seconds to “make it or break it.” Many new patient phone calls start with the patient asking: “Do you take my insurance?” While your first instinct is to provide an immediate … Read more
The number one reason patients do not accept treatment plans is lack of perceived value; how the dental treatment plan or recommendations will relate to them or their individual health goals. The lack of value is often expressed by patients with the most repetitive question asked in a dental day: “Does my insurance cover it?” … Read more
A new, 3-year prospective Japanese study involving over 2500 university students (mean age of 18 years at baseline) examined various risk factors for the emergence of high blood pressure (hypertension). The study found that amongst a group of students who had elevated (or prehypertensive) blood pressure at baseline, 3 factors which led to high blood … Read more
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
“Look it up, size it up, but don’t postpone your life and business because you won’t make up your mind” Decision making is a necessity of all leaders who are owners and manage a team, customers and their business. In order to drive progress and momentum forward for a better future, while motivating a team … 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