You made it – Congratulations! The past two years have been all consuming for dentistry: A constant state of change, endless pivoting and now it seems we are faced with “the great resignation.” Replacing hygienists, assistants and administrative team members is a significant challenge right now. Despite this and all the obstacles we have faced … Read more
Teledentistry is defined as the application of telecommunications, and so, it exchanges information between dentists and patients through interactive audio, text, and video. PubMed Central reported that many dentists find it difficult to continue their practice due to the pandemic. Even though teledentistry wouldn’t entirely replace physical dentistry services, it alleviates this current dilemma. Teledentistry … Read more
Professional athletes place as much importance on their rest and recovery as on their performance strategy. Why? Because the time we spend recharging directly impacts our ability to perform and thrive both personally and professionally, as well as cope with stress. With life’s daily demands, it is essential to manage our personal well-being so we … Read more
THE WHY: Owner’s story Dr. Karyna Figarella and Romeo Fermin are the husband and wife team behind BiteCraft Dental. Prior to moving to Canada, they were both practising dentists who owned a dental clinic in Venezuela. Approximately 10 years ago, their passion for healthcare and love of people collided with a desire to experience Canada’s … Read more
On September 20, 2021, the RCDSO (Ontario’s dental regulator) encouraged all dentists to “support vaccination efforts, model responsible behaviour … and address vaccine hesitancy.” Other provincial dental regulators have recommended that all dentists and dental health care professionals get vaccinated against COVID-19 and, in PEI, the dental regulator went so far as to mandate vaccination. … Read more
In our profession, there has always been a big push through December leading into the holiday season, which can be both mentally and physically taxing for the entire practice team. This year, the impact of this hectic time was further amplified by our second full year of maneuvering amid a global pandemic. Aside from being … Read more
The Faculty of Dentistry at the University of Toronto recently opened its new state-of-the-art clinic at 777 Bay St. The more than $7M project has created a beautiful 15,000 square foot clinic featuring 41 enclosed operatories that will enhance the patient experience and enrich clinical education. It is well located for patients to access it … Read more
Mandatory COVID vaccination policies implicate a complex intersection of laws including employment, human rights, occupational health and safety, privacy, personal health information, administrative and constitutional law. And this area of law is in near-constant flux as this article goes to print. 1. Must you have a COVID vaccination policy? The short answer is: probably. The … Read more
TIP #1: Prepare Years in Advance Begin planning 2 to 5 years before contemplating selling. Why? Because it can take up to 2 years to put your team members on contract. It can also take 2 or more years to set up or clean up your professional corporation in anticipation of a sale (if you’re … Read more
At the center of a good dental marketing plan is a good website. However, when you expand to multiple locations, a website might not be enough. You may need one for each office. There are several factors to consider when making your decision. Does a single website make sense for your business model? One website … Read more
THE WHY: Owner’s story Willow Dental is a well-established practice that has been serving dental healthcare to its community for over 50 years. In 2018, its latest owners moved Willow Dental to its most recent location in Mississauga, Ont. Dr. Neil Elman (Principal Dentist) and Lisa Duncan (Hygiene Corporation) share a collaborative strategic alliance that … Read more
Do you remember the classic animated movie, “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Dr. Seuss? It’s my favourite Christmas movie. You probably know the premise: an evil monster – The Grinch – steals all the Christmas presents hoping he can ruin Christmas. But then he sees that Christmas isn’t gone, that surprisingly, Christmas actually goes … Read more
With the colder weather approaching, I begin to think of the many times I’ve (quite literally) been on a slippery slope. Have you ever noticed that when we slip on ice, often the first thing we do is look around and hope nobody saw? When you think about it, wouldn’t it be better if people … Read more
Professional conflicts may arise when dental principals and dental associates disagree about processes in the dental clinic. These conflicts may have regulatory implications before the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO). In ideal circumstances, dental principals and dental associates will have excellent and mutually supportive relationships that benefit both parties. Associate dentists can … Read more
Recently my daughter had her wisdom teeth extracted. The day before she asked me to buy her pineapple juice. I replied, “Pineapple juice? Why do you want that? You don’t even like pineapples.” She said, “I saw on TikTok that drinking pineapple juice before getting your wisdom teeth out reduces pain and swelling.” Uggghh! Another … Read more
You’re no longer special just because you offer implants, cosmetics and orthodontics. Moderate-to-complex care dentistry is rapidly becoming less of a differentiator among dentists. The differentiator among dentists in this decade and following is when they make patients feel well-cared for. This differentiator exerts its greatest influence during the new patient experience and treatment presentation … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected an unbelievable percentage of the population since it caught fire in the first quarter of 2020. Being an essential service, you may believe the field of dentistry to be untouched by the pandemic, but that is far from true. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the dental industry, just as … Read more
THE WHY: Clinicians’ story While the world was experiencing a global shutdown, many practicing dentists utilized the luxury of time to explore their entrepreneurial opportunities in dentistry. Due to the many well-understood influences of the pandemic on working associates, the idea of opening a new practice and naming it Confluence Dental came to light. Dr. … Read more
I remember going to Expo ‘67 in Montreal when I was 10 years old. In one of the pavilions, they showcased a push-button phone where you could see the person you were talking to on the other end. I thought, wow this is magical. It was just like watching “The Jetsons” or “Star Trek”. This … Read more
Now in its fourth year, the annual Leaders in Practice awards celebrate oral care professionals who are passionate about providing optimal patient care and making a difference in the lives of Canadians. This is an industry-wide program designed to recognize the contributions of individuals across all roles in the practice. 2021 winners will receive up … Read more