This season is often the time there is an influx of new patients being seen in dental practices. Many of the new patients I have seen this spring are people who have not been to a dentist in five or more years. Here is a list of the top ten reasons these patients say they have stayed away from the dental office:
10. Fear of pain
9. Missing work time
8. Moved and haven’t “found” a new dentist
7. Have been out of work
6. My dentist retired
5. Can’t find an office I am comfortable in
4. I don’t like the dentist
3. Economy
2.… (Read More)
The Top Ten
July 13, 2012
Is there a Dental Link to Alzheimer’s?
July 9, 2012
Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of those diseases you would not wish on anyone. I have it in my family. My grandfather died from it about 30 years ago.
Since its discovery more than 100 years ago, there have been many scientific breakthroughs in AD research. In the 1960s, scientists discovered a link between cognitive decline and the number of plaques and tangles in the brain. The medical community then formally recognized Alzheimer’s as a disease and not a normal part of aging. In the 1970s, scientists made great strides in understanding the human body as a whole, and AD emerged as a significant area of research interest. This increased attention led in the… (Read More)
But I Don’t Have Insurance
June 26, 2012
Patients will sometimes balk at treatment not covered by their dental insurance. Dentists will often hear, “Just do what my insurance covers. I don’t want anything extra.” In fact, a recent ADA poll showed that a lack of dental insurance was the No. 1 reason most patients gave for not visiting a dentist. These are often the same people that pull into the office in a $40,000 car…..that they replace every 5-7 years. Here are some frequent questions patients often ask about dental insurance.
Why doesn’t my insurance cover all of the costs for my dental treatment?
Dental insurance isn’t really insurance (defined as a payment to cover the cost of a loss)… (Read More)
Made in China
May 29, 2012
I just returned from my semi-annual journey to my dental lab in Georgia where I meet with a group of dentists who share both the laboratory we use and the passion for excellence in what we do. The topic of dental restorations made overseas came up. Mr. Terry Fohey, certified dental technician and owner of NuCraft Dental Arts, one of the finest dental laboratories in the country, believes that a dental patient should have the right to know where the materials are coming from that are being put in their mouth.
China and other countries can claim to use specific materials, but there are no regulations in place to verify the information. There are… (Read More)
Recent Studies You Should Be Aware Of
May 22, 2012
I have preached for years, based on the information available, that there was a direct relationship between gum disease, heart disease, stroke and other health issues. This morning I received an email from the American Dental Association (ADA) about the newest report on this subject.
A report published recently in Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association (AHA), states that current scientific evidence does not establish a direct cause and effect relationship between gum disease and heart disease or stroke. Additionally, the evidence does not establish that gum disease increases the rate of heart disease or stroke.
The report was developed by an AHA expert committee comprised of dentists, cardiologists and infectious… (Read More)
7 Traits of the Ideal Doctor
April 26, 2012
What makes for an ideal doctor? Patients shared their views in a study which appeared in an issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings. It’s based on nearly 200 patients treated at the Mayo Clinic in Arizona and Minnesota.
In phone interviews with people who had no professional ties with the Mayo Clinic, the patients described their best and worst experiences with their Mayo Clinic doctors, with confidentiality guaranteed. The doctors seen by the patients came from 14 medical specialties.
Who made the list?
Here are the seven traits listed by the patients, along with the patients’ definitions of those traits:
• Confident: “The doctor’s confidence gives me confidence.”
• Empathetic: “The… (Read More)
What Would You Do?
April 16, 2012
The ABC show, “What Would You Do?” with John Quinones, is a reality show using a hidden camera that puts ordinary people on the spot with ethical dilemmas. From bullying to abuse, racial attacks and children using foul language in public, the show is geared towards the reactions of unsuspecting people put in uncomfortable situations.
It is interesting to see how people handle these interactions. Many people step up and engage in the situation and many others step aside with the notion that it is none of their business. Last week I presented an ethical dilemma but this week is about a question I get asked almost daily, “What Would You Do?”
When… (Read More)
Ethics in Advertising
April 2, 2012
I was listening to the radio on the way home from work the other day and heard an advertisement for a dental office. The ad stated that they were specialists in cosmetic dentistry and implants and that they are the “premier” dental office in the area.
There is no recognized specialty in cosmetic dentistry or implants. Therefore, claiming that you are a specialist for either of these two areas is both illegal and unethical. While it is not illegal to say that you are the “premier” office, it too is unethical for advertising in dentistry.
While I have no problem with legal and ethical advertising in dentistry, what concerns me is over-advertising. The… (Read More)
Lyme Disease and Mercury Fillings
March 26, 2012
I love working outside. Whether it be mowing the lawn or cleaning up brush in the woods, doing outside manual labor is “therapy” for me. However, I have also grown petrified of contracting Lyme disease.
I have seen a steady increase in the number of my patients who say they have contracted Lyme disease. Most of these people said they had the classic “bulls-eye” rash, went on antibiotics for a couple of weeks and were done with it. I have also had other patients who are dealing with long-term issues associated with Lyme disease. Most of the data I found agreed that the success of treating Lyme disease is higher the sooner it is… (Read More)