‘‘We’re at the beginning of a golden age of AI. Recent advancements have already led to inventions that previously lived in the realm of science fiction – and we’ve only scratched the surface of what’s possible.” Jeff Bezos, 2019 Artificial intelligence and machine learning tools are permeating all aspects of our daily lives. Everything from … Read more
Thorough disinfection has always been problematic in all areas of healthcare, especially in the oral environment. In endodontics, laser energy has been used in the past in an attempt to aid in the disinfection and/or irrigation of root canal systems with less than desirable results. Some of the various techniques used in the past included … Read more
How social media tactics can help market and grow a dental practice When we think of technology and its impact on the dental industry, we can’t ignore the importance of social media. Has your dental practice already jumped onto the social media bandwagon? Are you looking to steer your office’s presence in a more professional … Read more
Much has been discussed recently about the challenges of finding new team members and retaining current ones. The pandemic has shifted perspectives, and what teams needed in the past has now changed. Among the top stressors reported during the pandemic are finances, social isolation, and the health of family members. In any given year, 1 … Read more
Dr. Tracy Dawes Riverside Dental Centre, Red Deer, Alberta How would you define or summarize your practice philosophy? My practice has always been relationship based. Taking time with my patients has always been very important to me, even if it might put me a little behind at times. I think patients appreciate that they know … Read more
In this month’s Data Driven Dentistry feature, we decided to take a look at your purchasing plans. While many dentists took a financial hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, over half of our reader respondents still had plans to purchase new equipment this year. This is great to see. Operatory equipment was the most popular option … Read more
Restorative dentistry and periodontology have always been and forever will be inextricably linked. Integrating all elements of dentistry is an art and the science and is salient to long-term success of dental restorations and patient care. When placing a restoration, one must consider its effect on the entire stomatognathic complex. Case in point, the placement … Read more
Chronic Diseases and Periodontal Health Every 24 hours, 480 Canadian men and women are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (T2D).1 In 2019, 11 million Canadians were diagnosed with T2D or pre-diabetes.2 The high prevalence of this disease equates to a high economic burden. For example, treatment costs in Canada reached approximately $30 billion in 2019.2 … Read more
The American Dental Association (ADA) is an international authority guiding dentists in safeguarding personal health information (PHI) and protecting its members from cyber threats. On May 26, 2021, the ADA published a bulletin for its 161,000 members to increase awareness of potential ransomware issues affecting dental practices.1 Around April 21, 2022, the ADA was the … Read more
Gum disease affects 70% of Canadians and is associated with many systemic diseases for which the benefits of plant-based diets have been well-established.1,2 In ‘A Plant-Based Diet and Periodontal Health’,2 published in last year’s October edition of Oral Health, we discussed the findings and potential implications of studies that have reported the association between plant-based … Read more
Many psychotropic drugs cause dry mouth, most commonly due to anticholinergic effects. Xerostomia a common issue in dental practice, affecting about 1 in 4-5 adults.1 It can cause a range of signs and symptoms, from a mild sensation of dryness and stickiness to more serious effects such as difficulties with chewing, swallowing, and speaking.2 If … Read more
We trust our dentists to tell us the best oral health care routines, and based on our dentists’ recommendations, we teach our children about oral health care. Our pets do not have any oral care capability and rely on us to keep their mouths clean and healthy. Dentists are often asked by their patients about … Read more
In baseball, triple plays are rare. They are game changers that can make all the difference. Candid brings that same energy to orthodontics. Candid is distinguishing itself from others by its Transformative technology Commitment to service Dedication to support Transformative Technologies One of the company’s software tools is the CandidMonitoring, which allows patients to scan … Read more
Every dentist aims to please by providing their patients with optimal treatment outcomes. This dedication to success can sometimes lead a dentist to offer patients a guarantee (a promise of a satisfactory outcome) or a warranty (a time-limited agreement to replace, repair or refund a defect in material or workmanship). Other dentists may feel obligated … Read more
Fraud is on the rise now more than ever in the dental industry. Usually, seven percent of dentists’ monthly revenue is embezzled, and it happens to two-thirds of all dentists, so don’t ever think it can’t happen to you. Dentists are at high risk because they are usually in the operatory all day, generating revenue … Read more
Our limited time becomes increasingly apparent the further on we progress in our careers. Yet it can become an abstraction when a large offer to purchase your practice is being placed in front of you over the course of a compelling sales pitch that can sometimes be months or even years in the making. The … Read more
Earned media, particularly mentions in the news, is probably the best brand exposure that your dental practice can get. Research has shown that earned media has a much greater influence on lead conversion than other brand exposure, potentially leading to nearly ten times as many new sales as blog posts. A downside to earned media is … Read more
Did you know that the price of a box of mac and cheese was about $0.99 before COVID and is now $2.50? The price of gas has gone up and down and up beyond anything we could have anticipated. And there you have it – the inflation of food prices and gas is happening and … Read more
A new patient walks into your practice. They’re in their early twenties, and generally healthy. After reporting their medical history, which reveals struggles with mental health, they tell you, “I’m not happy with my smile. I want white crowns on my teeth. My grandfather recently died and left me $40,000.” Your clinical evaluation notes healthy … Read more
THE WHY: Owner’s story Over the span of a 32-year dental career, Dr. Craig Siemens has transitioned his career through various practice settings. He owned and operated three offices in North Vancouver, eventually selling his final practice and moving to Victoria in 2012, around the mid-stage of his career. At that point, he had decided … Read more