Worries Mount About Dental Offices Replacing Retailers on Toronto Streets

Keen observers have noticed an unexpected trend in the ultra-hip West Queen West area of Toronto – a proliferation of dentists’ offices. “Right across from the Drake Hotel there’s a dentist’s office and half block south another one just opened,” says Antonio Carvallo, a realtor with Re/Max Hallmark Bibby Group. He says there are two … Read more

Employees of Closed FLOSS Dental Location Say They Haven’t Been Paid

Former employees of Dr. Clint Herzog say they haven’t seen a paycheck after the FLOSS Dental on Brodie Lane closed. Latisha Hines says Dr. Clint Herzog owes her money, more than a thousand dollars. The dental assistant used to work at FLOSS Dental but says she walked out when the paychecks stopped. “I’m mad. If it … Read more

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Patient-Centred Care, Soft Skills and Good Business

Patient-Centred Care

Health care administration has evolved drastically in the last generation, and the expectations about how health care providers communicate with patients ranks among the biggest of these changes. Numerous studies have shown that patient satisfaction depends upon the attitude that dentists and doctors bring to their work, while others have tied treatment outcomes to the … Read more

Sarnia Man Files Complaint After Service Dog Denied Access at Dental Office

A legally deaf Sarnia man who was told he couldn’t have his service dog present during a dental procedure believes his human rights have been violated. But the owner of the dental office who turned him down said there’s good reason why he won’t allow animals in an operating room – it’s not hygienic. Johnathan … Read more

Dentist Suspended for Letting Employees Practice Without Licences

A Winnipeg dentist had his licence suspended after he admitted to letting two of his employees to practise dentistry without a licence. The Manitoba Dental Association charged Dr. Steven Lawson with five counts of professional misconduct in 2016 after it was discovered that he knowingly allowed two employees, Iam Lotuaco and Sheila Lotuaco, to work … Read more

Accolade Dental: The Sunny Side of Yorkville

Practice Design

As a Design firm, it is quite remarkable to run into a client that has the wherewithal and fortitude for bold decisions in the conception of a new practice. From the very first meeting with Dr. Jack Slome, we at De Style Design knew, that the outcome of our collaboration on this project will be … Read more

How We Vindicated a Falsely Accused Dentist…

OHO-CourtCase-main alternate text for this image

…and Why You Should Thank Him   Michele Lancia was a 48-year-old, generously-paid Restorative Dental Hygienist. She worked for Park Dentistry for eight years (after 11 prior years for the dentist from whom Allen Park bought the practice). When she quit, she was receiving $59 per hour1, and 200 hours of paid vacation time annually. … Read more

Mental Illness is Not a Personal Failure

Mental Illness

The best way to grab your attention for this editorial is to simply begin with the facts. One in three Canadians will experience a mental illness or substance abuse disorder in their lifetime. By the time Canadians reach 40 years of age, one in two have—or have had—a mental illness. Over 4,000 Canadians per year … Read more

3 HR Mistakes Dentists and Office Managers are (Still) Making in 2018

HR mistakes

Back in the day, when dentists weren’t even using gloves while treating patients, running a clinic was way simpler. It was less stressful as well. So many veteran dentists tell me they are grateful and lucky to be retiring soon – so they do not need to deal with the scrutiny clinics and owners are … Read more

Caring For Your Commercial Lease

Commercial Lease

You have successfully negotiated a Lease for your Practice, but that does not mean that you can just put it away and forget about it. Your Lease and your relationship with your Landlord require care and attention throughout the term of your Lease and particularly at certain critical milestones. As a practice owner and commercial … Read more

Xerox Ruled Responsible for Fraudulent Medicaid Dental Payments

The Texas Supreme Court ruled Friday that Xerox is responsible for the $1 billion in fraudulent Medicaid payments the company made while overseeing pre-authorizations for Texas Medicaid patients’ dental work. In a 25-page decision, the state’s high court upheld a Texas Court of Appeals ruling that Xerox — and not the dentists — was responsible for … Read more

Dental Patients Urged to Get Checked for Hepatitis C

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is renewing its call for patients of an Orillia dental clinic to get tested for hepatitis C. The health unit says two people, including a child, have tested positive for hepatitis C. The patients were tested after an advisory was issued in February about Dr. Joe Philip’s practice. The … Read more

Dental Office Manager Admits to Embezzling $280,000

An Oklahoma woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling more than $280,000 from a dental office. Officials with the United States Department of Justice say Annette M. Straily, of Comanche, pleaded guilty to bank fraud and singing a false federal income tax return in connection with a $283,000 embezzlement scheme from a Duncan dental office. Officials … Read more

Missing Step in Sterilization Causes Possible Disease Exposure

A Multnomah County dental clinic says up to 18 instrument packets were improperly sterilized last month and may have exposed patients to HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B. Up to 18 of the 524 patients treated at Southeast Dental Clinic in the 2600 block of Southeast 34th Avenue between May 11 and May 24 may … Read more

Celebrity Dentist Guilty of Aggravated and Common Assault

A woman who was indecently assaulted by a dentist to the stars has encouraged others to speak out against sexual abuse. The dental assistant was working for Dr David Carr – who has taken to Facebook to boast of clients such as actors Cate Blanchett and Michael Caton – when he smacked her bottom, tried … Read more

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Dental Record Keeping 101

Dental Record

Recording accurate patient information is essential to the practice of dentistry and fundamental to the delivery of quality patient care. The dental record (aka patient chart) is the official source of all diagnostic information, clinical notes, treatment and patient-related communications that occur in the dental office, including instructions for home care, consent to treatment and … Read more

Ontario Dental Clinic Patients Need Hepatitis, HIV Testing

Patients of a Lindsay dental clinic are being told they need to be tested for hepatitis and HIV. The Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge District Health Unit says it launched an investigation into the infection and prevention practices of the Lakeland Clinic. In a statement, the health unit says the clinic, at times, may not have … Read more

Dental Hygienist Tops List of Fastest Growing SMB Jobs in Canada

Small to medium size businesses (SMBs) play a pivotal role in the Canadian economy. According to Statistics Canada, as of December 2015, there were 1.17 million employer businesses in Canada, 98% of which were small businesses. For most SMBs, being lean is a crucial ingredient in the recipe for success. But due to their sheer volume, … Read more

Dental Office Faces Cultural Appropriation Backlash

Editor’s Note: When reading this story about cultural appropriation in dental marketing, consider not only how to avoid a similar situation during promotions and holidays, but also your practice’s plan when faced with public backlash. There are many avenues to consider: Immediately responding is an obvious reaction, but what you say can drastically alter your … Read more