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J Mich Dent Assoc March 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It stands as the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. This month’s issue offers an insightful article on general-purpose AI to boost creativity and efficiency in dental practice. Helpful tips on protecting your reputation are provided in an article on Myths, Tips, and Tricks to manage online reviews. Readers then learn that ADA Commons provides much more than access to current and past articles and issues of the Journal of the Michigan Dental …

The New Professional: Best Practices For Leaving A Job: A Guide To A Smooth Transition, Amrita Patel D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article provides guidance for associate dentists on executing a professional job transition. It emphasizes the importance of careful decision-making, thorough contract review, and maintaining professional relationships throughout the resignation process. Key recommendations include evaluating the decision objectively, understanding contractual obligations, providing appropriate notice, documenting ongoing patient care, and maintaining a positive attitude. The article stresses that a well-managed departure can protect one's professional reputation and future career opportunities.

Harnessing General Purpose Ai In Dental Practice: Strategic Solutions For A Burdened Workforce, Christopher J. Smiley D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping dental practice administration by enhancing efficiency and providing solutions to address workforce shortages. Free-to-use generative AI (GenAI) tools, such as ChatGPT and Claude, can streamline routine tasks, support creative workflows, and reduce the burden on office teams. However, dental professionals must understand AI’s limitations and ethical boundaries, including risks to patient confidentiality and the potential for inaccurate or misleading outputs. Proprietary dental-specific AI systems demonstrate a safer approach by providing specialized diagnostic support and practice analytics in more secure environments to meet HIPAA standards. Yet even these dentistry-based AI solutions carry a risk of bias …

Online Reviews: Myths, Tips, And Tricks, Anish Gupta D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Online reviews are a source of reputation marketing which are valuable to the practice of dentistry. Reviews bring patients in and provide social proof for your practice. We discuss what makes a good review, tips to get reviews, and dispel certain myths regarding online reviews.

Build Your Practice With Dental Revenue Cycle Management, Robert Mcdermott

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article explores the essential role of Dental Revenue Cycle Management (RCM) in ensuring the financial success and sustainability of a dental practice. Many dentists, especially those new to solo practice, struggle with managing the business side of dentistry, particularly the complexities of RCM. The article outlines the key steps of RCM, including patient scheduling, insurance verification, claims submission, and payment processing, emphasizing how a well-managed system ensures steady cash flow and enhances patient experience. Key challenges in RCM include lack of formal business training, evolving insurance regulations, and the risk of delayed reimbursements, which can threaten a practice’s viability. …

Exploring Leadership In Physical Therapy: How Clarity, Connection, And Communication Influence Team Engagement, Burnout, And Achieving Organizational Objectives, Jason Collin

Dissertations

Purpose: The purpose of this mixed methods study was to identify and describe how highly effective PT leaders use the three competencies of HPTs (clarity, connection, and communication) to increase engagement, prevent burnout, and achieve organizational objectives. The second purpose of this study was to determine the degree of importance that highly effective PT leaders perceive the three HPTE core competencies impact their leadership for creating HPTs.

Methodology: The mixed methods study identified and described eight PT leaders’ perceptions of how they use clarity, connection, and communication to build and sustain HPTs. PT leaders were selected through purposive and snowball …

J Mich Dent Assoc February 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It is the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. The February issue sets the tone for the MDA’s Annual Meeting, Revving Up Dentistry, this April in Detroit.

A detailed Annual Session Preview is included within the Journal with course listings and activities planned for the four-day event. Regular Departments: News You Need, New Dentist Column, MDA Insurance, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, MDA at your Service, Governmental Affairs, and a Michigan Dental …

Evidence-Based Solutions To The Multi-Faceted Problem Of Healthcare Burnout And Safe Staffing, Ranae Cornwall Rn, Taylor D'Amato Bsn, Rn, Elizabeth Falcigno Mba, Bsn, Rn, Sabrina Ferreira Bsn, Rn, Whitney Lascaux Bsn, Rn, Mscp, Lmt, Ryt, Olivia Okoroafor Bhs, Bsn, Rn, Lucas Peixoto Adn, Rn, Cecilia Rivas Bsn, Rn, Bsph

Posters

It is common for inpatient medical floor RNs to care for an average of 5-7 patients per assignment plus the role of charge RN or preceptor, which borders the legal limit in the state of Connecticut. We believe that by eliminating an assignment for charge RN’s, safe staffing ratios can be achieved, and RN higher retention rates could be achieved with a strategic PICO investigation.

Burnout In The Emergency Room: Corrective Measures Vs. The Absence Of Solutions, Zane Walters, Zachary Woodall

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Physician burnout has become an increasingly prevalent and critical issue in healthcare systems worldwide, particularly among emergency room physicians who face high-stress, high-demand working conditions. Burnout manifests as emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and a diminished sense of personal accomplishment, leading to negative outcomes for physicians’ mental health, job satisfaction, and overall career longevity. This phenomenon not only threatens the well-being of physicians but also compromises patient care quality and contributes to costly turnover within healthcare organizations.

Purpose of the Study: The aim of this study was to systematically investigate the impact of burnout interventions on emergency room physicians. …

Big Data Analytics In Inventory Management In Healthcare Supply Chain, Bailee White

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: As healthcare organizations increasingly have relied on digital transformation to meet growing demands for efficiency and cost reduction, big data analytics have emerged as a key tool for optimizing supply chain performance. Inventory management, which accounted for up to 50% of total hospital operating costs, remained one of the most critical and complex areas in the healthcare supply chain. Traditional inventory methods often led to stockouts, waste, and inefficiencies. The integration of big data tools such as predictive analytics and enterprise resource planning systems presented an opportunity to streamline operations and reduce costs.

Purpose of the Study: …

Evaluating The Effectiveness Of Teledermatology For Undeserved Populations During And Post-Covid-19, Jakob Gibbs, Sean Hanshaw

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Teledermatology, a subset of telemedicine, has gained prominence as a means to increase access to dermatologic care while reducing costs and improving patient satisfaction. The swift expansion of teledermatology during the COVID-19 pandemic was driven by the necessity to limit physical contact and adapt to public health restrictions. This technological shift aimed to address longstanding disparities in dermatology access, especially in rural and underserved populations, and to respond to the rising demand for dermatologic services amid provider shortages.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects that teledermatology following the COVID-19 pandemic had …

The Impacts Of Artificial Intelligence In Radiology, Misty Farmer, Wendy Trzyna

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: There has been significant growth in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the healthcare industry, especially in Medical Imaging. Radiology has been the clear frontrunner in the adoption of AI in medicine, due in part to the massive amount of digital data available for use in Deep Learning (DL) AI integration has the potential to solve multiple challenges in radiology, address workload issues and transform the field.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of the research was to evaluate the impact of implementing Artificial Intelligence in radiology to determine if these technologies have had an impact …

Addressing The Opioid Epidemic Across The United States And In West Virginia, Kailyn Smith, Addison Hughes

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: The opioid crisis had a profound impact on public health across the United States and West Virginia, with overdose deaths reaching unprecedented levels by 2021. Traditional abstinence-only rehabilitation programs demonstrated limited success, largely due to high relapse rates and insufficient mental health support. These programs often overlooked the complex relationship between opioid addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety, which are common among those with substance use disorders. In contrast, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), when supplemented with behavioral therapies and antidepressant medications, has shown greater success in improving recovery outcomes and reducing relapse rates. This …

Beyond The Screen: Assessing The Impact Of Hospitalist Reliance On Electronic Medical Records In Patient-Centered Care, Brian H. Cox

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

The integration of Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems has transformed healthcare delivery, offering enhanced data accessibility, improved communication, and operational efficiency. However, concerns persist regarding the potential erosion of patient-centered care due to EMR overutilization. This study investigated how hospitalists’ use of EMR systems correlates with patient satisfaction, focusing on the dynamics of physician communication, hospital length of stay, and regional characteristics. Using a comprehensive framework combining Resource Dependency Theory and Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome model, the research examines the influence of demographic, technological, and structural factors on healthcare outcomes.

The analysis, based on patient survey data from a large integrated delivery …

Systemic Challenges In Pediatric Healthcare: Exploring Reimbursement Disparities And Their Impact On Healthcare Equity, Jessica Ford-Davis, Alexandra Gillette

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) have provided health coverage for over 135 million Americans, with Medicaid playing a significant role in financing pediatric healthcare. Medicaid covers a wide range of services for children, particularly those from low-income families or with special healthcare needs, including preventive care, immunizations, vision and dental services, and mental health treatments. However, Medicaid reimbursement rates are lower compared to Medicare and private insurance, in some cases 30.6% lower, and have often been insufficient to cover the full cost of care, contributing to financial losses for children's hospitals. Despite these challenges, nearly …

Magnet Hospitals And Their Impact On Patient Outcomes, Connie Cochran, Molly A. Collins

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the competitive healthcare landscape, patient safety and quality care have remained critical priorities. The Magnet Recognition Program, awarded by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), has recognized hospitals that have demonstrated excellence in nursing and improved patient outcomes. Built on five core pillars: transformational leadership, structural empowerment, exemplary practice, innovation, and quality results, this designation has supported professional development and collaborative care. Although only about 10% of U.S. hospitals have been Magnet-designated, they have been linked to reduced hospital mortality, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), and patient falls.

Purpose of the Study: The purpose of this research was to evaluate …

Do Patients Who Receive Dexmedetomidine As An Adjunct To Spinal Anesthesia For Cesarean Delivery Achieve Longer Block Duration Compared To Those Who Receive Spinal Anesthesia With Local Anesthetic Alone?, Liana S. Garrison

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Problem Statement: Cesarean delivery is associated with significant postoperative pain, typically managed with spinal anesthesia using a local anesthetic. While opioids are often added as adjuncts, the addition of dexmedetomidine, an alpha-2 agonist, has emerged as a potential alternative that may enhance the efficacy of the spinal block in terms of pain management, potentially improving block duration and quality compared to local anesthetic alone.

Methodology: A literature review was conducted on the use of dexmedetomidine as an adjunct to spinal anesthesia for patients undergoing cesarean sections. Databases used for the search included PubMed, CINAHL Complete, and MEDLINE. The keywords used …

Rural Hospital Closure And Medicaid Expansion, Jason White

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: In the United States, hospitals in rural areas have been under financial pressure and have been closing at an increasing rate.  This reduces access to care for rural citizens.  The Affordable Care Act of 2010 was passed in order to increase access to medical care, partially through an optional expansion of Medicaid coverage to a larger percentage of the population.  As some states adopted the expansion and some states did not, an opportunity was created to examine the policy’s effect on rural hospital stability.

Purpose of the Study:  This study was designed to examine the effect of …

Artificial Intelligence In Radiology, Olivia Sweeney

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Introduction: Artificial intelligence (AI) has increasingly transformed radiologic practice by improving diagnostic accuracy, streamlining workflows, and reducing interpretation errors. As AI integration has expanded across imaging modalities, questions have emerged regarding its effectiveness compared to traditional radiologist-only interpretation.

Purpose of Study: The purpose of this study has been to evaluate the impact of AI-assisted radiology on diagnostic accuracy, efficiency, and error reduction, while also assessing clinician perceptions of AI as a collaborative tool in imaging analysis.

Methodology: This qualitative study has used a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature published between 2015 and 2025, following PRISMA guidelines, combined with an interview …

Trends In U.S. Health Care Bankruptcy: A 10-Year Retrospective, Amy Yarbrough Landry, Philip Cendoma, Kristine R. Hearld, J'Aime C. Jennings, Robert J. Landry Iii

Research, Publications & Creative Work

Background: In recent years, the United States (U.S.) healthcare system has faced financial challenges resulting from changing reimbursement models, fluctuations in sources of investment, and a global pandemic. These factors have resulted in an influx of bankruptcy filings among healthcare organizations. This study explores the number of healthcare organizations filing for bankruptcy as means to reorganize (Chapter 11) or liquidate assets (Chapter 7), and examines whether organizational size, defined by assets and liabilities, influences the success of reorganization. The research on bankruptcy among healthcare organizations has been limited to larger businesses including hospitals and nursing homes. This study investigates all …

A Question For The Ages: The Relationship Between Nurse Staffing And Quality In Appalachian Skilled Nursing Facilities, Eric Jason Pulice

Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Nurse staffing levels have been shown to have a critical impact on nursing quality in skilled nursing facilities (SNFs). Sociodemographic disparities in Appalachian areas have the potential to impact SNF nurse staffing levels and quality. This study examined the relationship between nurse staffing levels and quality in Appalachian SNFs, as well as compliance with the Biden Administration’s minimum staffing mandates as set forth in CMS-3442-F enacted on June 24, 2024.

The study applied Resource Dependency Theory (RDT) through Donabedian’s Structure-Process-Outcome (SPO) conceptual framework to assess how external resource constraints and regulatory policies impact nurse staffing levels and quality in Appalachian …

The New Professional: Intentional Goal-Setting For 2025, Amrita Patel D.D.S.

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article emphasizes the importance of intentional goal setting, networking, and leadership for new dentists to achieve long-term success. It advocates for setting clear, measurable goals, breaking them into manageable milestones, and focusing on building strong professional relationships. Networking with mentors and peers, engaging in social media, and participating in dental organizations are highlighted as ways to foster growth and opportunities. Leadership roles, even in small capacities like volunteering or joining committees, are seen as critical steps toward personal development and career advancement. These strategies collectively help new dentists establish a solid foundation for achieving their professional aspirations.

J Mich Dent Assoc January 2025

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association provides news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. It is the primary publication reaching Michigan dentists. The January issue sets the tone for February, the observance of Children’s Dental Health Month.

Michigan Academy of Pediatric Dentistry President Jessica Bentoski welcomes readers to this special issue, which features a cover feature on “Approaches to Care for Children with Special Needs in Dental Settings: Desensitization and Teledentistry” and a supporting article on “General Dentists’ Education, Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behavior Concerning the Effects …

Confronting Indecision, Lane Allison Murray

ENGS 15.11: Design and Education

This course aims to increase students' understanding of indecision and how to confront it. The class provides insight into how the fear of the unknown holds people back from making decisions and about understanding one's values as a means to combat indecision. Students and teachers alike explore instances of indecision and evaluate their own impulses & thought processes by reflecting on the deeper reasons for their choices. Students will increase their comfort level of asking themselves and their peers questions about the values that guide them and, in doing so, strengthen their relationships with themselves and others.

Taking The Temperature: What The Acd 2025 Survey Reveals, Mike Graham, Suzan Pitman

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The American College of Dentists surveyed its Fellows to help leadership better understand how our Fellows perceive and interact with the College. The results will be used to determine organizational priorities and help guide the continued implementation of the strategic plan. The key takeaways of the survey were that (1) the 2023 Strategic Plan implementation is on the right track, (2) Fellows value their connection to the ACD, (3) communication between the organization and Fellows has improved, and (4) leadership and staff must continue to develop a better-defined knowledge base to support local leaders.

The Relationship Between Mental Health Disclosures, Employee Sentiments And Turnover Intention In The Workplace, Steve G. Winkel

Open Access Dissertations

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between employees’ disclosure of mental health conditions in the workplace and these employees’ sentiments, feelings, and associated outcomes. Utilizing constructs of job satisfaction, affective commitment, normative commitment, motivation, and turnover intentions, the research aims to understand quantifiable differences in the employment experience between employees who disclose and do not disclose (non-disclosure) mental health conditions, as well as the mediating roles of human resources management (HRM), supervisors support, and employee authenticity. Through self-reported data detailing employees’ disclosure experiences, the research also aims to understand the disclosure conversation's specific impact …

Staff Matters: Why Are Our Employees Leaving? And How Do We Keep Them?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article addresses the challenges of staff attrition in dental practices, emphasizing its costly impact and the need to understand its causes. Common reasons for attrition include low compensation, high workloads, poor management practices, and lack of career development opportunities. Solutions involve gathering feedback through exit interviews, improving salaries and benefits, balancing workloads, enhancing management styles, and offering career growth. Proactive measures can help retain staff and create a stable, supportive work environment.

Mda Services: Let Your Mda Membership Put Money Back In Your Pocket, Reva Darling

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

MDA membership offers significant financial savings through partnerships with endorsed vendors, providing products and services to enhance dental practice success. Members can save over $30,000 annually by utilizing resources like PPO Negotiation Solutions, Best Card for credit processing, ProSites for digital marketing, Eagle Associates for compliance, and iCoreConnect for cloud-based software. Additional discounts are available on dental supplies, accounting, and in-house dental plan administration, among other services. These benefits demonstrate the value of MDA membership in streamlining operations and improving profitability.

Organizational Accounting In Value-Based Care: How Are You Really Doing?, Stephanie Fischer Mba, Jennifer Stephens Do

Administration & Leadership

No abstract provided.

Advanced Practice Clinician Outcomes: Pre/Post Implementation Of An Advanced Practice Clinician Council, Jeannine M. Moss

Doctors of Nursing Practice (DNP) Final Projects, 2020-current

Improving access to quality, affordable, and timely healthcare is a national priority. Health systems across the United States are utilizing Advanced Practice Clinicians (APCs) to fill the void in healthcare delivery. As provider shortages continue and the demand for APCs increases, organizations must develop robust structures to support APC engagement, retention, job satisfaction, and professional growth. Currently, 44% of the provider workforce within a large urban health system are APCs, yet despite substantial APC provider labor pool representation, the organization had little infrastructure to support APC professional growth and no mechanism for organizational involvement. This quality improvement (QI) project aimed …