This is a continuation of the column from last week with regards to the issues involving the water used in a dental office. The information was obtained from the ADA website.
Is the water in my dentist’s office safe?
Scientific reports have not linked illness with water passing through dental waterlines. However, patients should feel free to ask their dentist about the quality of their dental treatment water or any other aspect of their practice. To help reduce the number of microorganisms in treatment water, the Association recommends that dentists follow the infection control guidelines of the CDC and ADA. This is in addition to other precautions that your dentist may have in… (Read More)
Dental Water Lines – Part 2
December 2, 2010
Dental Water Lines – Part 1
November 22, 2010
This column and the one to follow discuss the issues involved with the water used in the dental office. Water that is used in the dental office is usually the same town water that people drink, use to cook and bathe in. However, in the dental office, the water sits around in plastic tubing and “things” can grow in plastic tubing. Wouldn’t you like to know that the water being squirt into your mouth is clean?
I am bringing this up because it is an often overlooked part of the dental office and is important to consider. The information was obtained from the ADA website.
What are biofilms?
Biofilms are microscopic communities… (Read More)
Do Just What My Insurance Covers
November 19, 2010
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. So, 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) at all. It is a monetary benefit, typically provided by an employer, to help their employees pay for routine… (Read More)
I Don’t Get No Respect
November 12, 2010
…….quoting Rodney Dangerfield. I was travelling recently in Baltimore for a meeting. I do what I usually do when I travel – get on the computer and search the web to see what local dentists are doing in that particular area. I know, it’s weird but that’s what the “dental consulting wanna-be / marketing junkie” does.
In my search I came across an office that was reviewed by a new patient who complained she felt that the dentist showed her no respect by assuming that she wanted to be called by her first name. That got me thinking. I do have a place on my new patient forms that says, “Preferred to be called”.… (Read More)
Is your dentist retiring?
November 8, 2010
It has happened. The worst possible thing in the world you could ever imagine has happened to you. The dentist you have been seeing for the last 20 years has retired. What are you going to do?
Many people, including myself, get attached to their healthcare providers. When you build a relationship with your healthcare provider and the office staff, there is a level of comfort in knowing that when needed, there is a person/office that is there to take care of you and you trust. When that provider retires there is a sense of abandonment, obviously not intentional, and that feeling of – What do I do now?
In many cases, the… (Read More)
It’s Just a Cleaning
October 28, 2010
This is a phrase we hear far too frequently when patients call to cancel their hygiene appointments at the last minute or just do not show up. When the patient is told that there are no open hygiene appointments for 4-6 months the response if often, “Oh, that’s okay, it’s just a cleaning.” However, this lack of concern for urgency is only partly to blame on the patient; most of the accountability falls in the lap of the dental staff, including the dentist.
If you read this column with any frequency, I am sure you are sick of hearing that 75% of the population has some form of periodontal (gum) disease. I am sure… (Read More)
Should you be worried about nuking your thyroid?
October 18, 2010
There is a lot of stuff out there, especially having the web at our fingertips, concerning what is good and bad for you. The only problem is, if you read about all the stuff that supposedly is bad for you, you would be eating raw organic carrots for every meal with a glass of water. Okay, maybe not that bad, but it has made me think more before I put just about anything in my mouth.
I bring up Dr. Oz because apparently last week on his television show they were discussing dental x-rays and the thyroid. Based on my phones lighting up at my office after this aired, I came to two conclusions.… (Read More)
Welcome to my new BLOG!!!!
This is a test blog to get started and also to tell you that I will be posting my weekly column from The Town Common on my blog. Thanks for being here….I have some good stuff for you.
Welcome to Dental Health for Life!
October 7, 2010
Please check back often for the latest news on in the dental industry.