Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

Customer Service Revisited, Allen Vean Dmd

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

MDDS Co-Editor, Dr. Allen Vean reflects on the importance of excellent customer service in dentistry. The article draws on personal experience and underscores the significance of patient retention, personal touches and creating a welcoming office environment.

My Pillars For Success: Education, Unity And Community, Susan Kutis Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

MDDS President, Dr. Susan Kutis reflects on her professional journey. She shares the formative experiences that shaped her career, emphasizing three core pillars: continuing education, the power of organized dentistry and the importance of mentorship and community. Dr. Kutis highlights her dedication to advancing the profession through collective action, diversity, and lifelong learning. She expresses her vision for a more engaged and unified dental community and looks forward to fostering collaboration during her term as president.

Exploring Ada Commons: Discover What's New Across The Tripartite, Alisun Dekock

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The article details ADA Commons, a new open-access database that offers searchable access to a wide range of dental publications and archival materials from ADA State and Local Associations. ADA Commons allows member dentists to explore, search and contribute to a growing collection of dentistry-related content.

Colorado Non-Compete Agreements For Dentists, Josh Austin

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The article details the intricacies of Colorado's non-compete agreements and their validity as well as non-solicitation agreements. Income thresholds, penalties and consequences of non-compliance are also discussed.

What's Your Cyber Protection Game Plan?, Paul Murphy

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The article discusses offensive and defensive strategies for protection against cyberattacks and ransomware. Best practices detailed include engaging with credentialed experts, safeguarding against potential breaches through updated technology and vulnerability assessments and training staff to recognize and respond to threats.

The Patient Experience: A Roadmap To Success, Amanda Jozsa Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article outlines a ten-step system designed to enhance patient experience in the dental practice. The author emphasizes the importance of exceptional customer service, team collaboration and attention to detail in all steps of the patient journey. By focusing on the steps outlined the author believes dental practices can foster patient loyalty, reduce marketing costs, boost team morale and lead to practice growth and success.

Articulator Q3 2024

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

The magazine examines customer service and patient experience from different perspectives. Content includes:

• An editorial from the MDDS President, Dr. Susan Kutis, on pillars for a successful dental career
• A reflection from MDDS Co-Editor. Dr. Allen Vean, examining the basics of customer service
• A feature from Dr. Amanda Jozsa, focusing on nine steps to improving patient experience
• An update on non-compete agreements in Colorado
• An article with practical cybersecurity tips to protect yourself, your patient and the dental practice
• An article on ADA Commons - what it is and how it benefits member dentists

Hold Tightly To The Human Touch, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this editorial, Dr. Dziurgot reflects on the diminishing human interaction in various services, from ordering food to medical appointments. The editorial emphasizes the importance of maintaining personal communication in dentistry, arguing that patient care should remain personalized and compassionate. The author reminisces about the personalized service of the past, stressing the need for dentists to engage directly with patients, understand their unique needs, and provide a welcoming environment. The piece calls for a return to human touch in professional practices, despite the convenience of modern technology.

How To Take A Proactive Approach To Reduce Cancellations & No-Shows, Carrie Webber

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Cancellations and no-shows wreak havoc on dental practice schedules, with 80% of practices citing last-minute cancellations as the main reason for incomplete schedules. This article provides a proactive approach to minimize cancellations by focusing on three key areas: enhancing the patient experience to build trust and perceived value, optimizing the check-out process with effective communication, and providing ongoing team training on verbal skills and customer service. By implementing strategies that prioritize patient relationships, commitment, and a seamless experience, practices can reduce cancellations, improve scheduling efficiency, and foster patient loyalty.

Practicing Dentistry: The Most Dangerous Profession?, Stephanie Botts Rdh, Bsdh, Ceas

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) are highly prevalent among dental clinicians due to repetitive movements, awkward postures, and static positions. This article highlights the importance of ergonomics - designing work environments for the worker - in preventing career-threatening MSDs. Key principles discussed include proper operator positioning establishing neutral spinal alignment, adjusting patient positioning to minimize harmful movements, and adopting an "ergonomic mindset" prioritizing clinicians' musculoskeletal health. The article discusses how through comprehensive ergonomic interventions, dental professionals can reduce injury risks and enjoy long, pain-free careers.

References For Trends In Malpractice Payments And Adverse Actions Against Healthcare Providers In The State Of Colorado Between 1990–2022

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This editorial explores the profound influence of community on personal and professional growth within the dental profession. It discusses the dynamics of social networks, highlighting their role in fostering innovation and support while cautioning against the risks of groupthink and echo chambers. Emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and diverse perspectives, the piece advocates for open dialogue and self-awareness to ensure the continued advancement and ethical integrity of dentistry.

Embracing Trauma: Informed Dental Care For Patient Well-Being, Adriana Zuniga Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

Trauma-informed dental care acknowledges that patients may have past traumatic experiences affecting their reactions during appointments. By creating a supportive environment through clear communication, calm demeanor, and emotional regulation techniques, dental professionals can help patients feel safe and improve their overall experience.

A Generational Transition Is Coming, Marko Vujicic

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article discusses significant shifts occurring in the dental profession, highlighting the decline in solo practices and practice ownership, especially among younger dentists. It examines the rise of dental service organizations (DSOs) and factors driving these changes, such as student debt, increased diversity and evolving work-life balance preferences. The article emphasizes the need for dental associations to adapt to these trends and explores the potential opportunities for expanding dental care access and industry growth amidst these transitions.

Unleashing The Power Of Reflective Treatment Planning, Laura Ramsey

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores how dental students at the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine are using the practice of reflective treatment planning to prepare for life after graduation. The article also details how readers can use reflection in the their everyday practice of dentistry, case review, peer discussions and study clubs, patient feedback integration and more.

Articulator Q1 2024

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This issue serves as a wrap-up of the 2024 Rocky Mountain Dental Convention (RMDC) hosted by the Metro Denver Dental Society (MDDS). Read more to learn about new dental innovation presented at RMDC, how to take compassionate action with colleagues in a mental health crisis, the importance of reflective treatment planning, post-exposure steps to take in a dental practice and more.

Examining The Nexus Of Food Insecurity And Oral Health, Abigayle Talbot

Honors Theses

This research paper delves into the relationship between oral health and nutrition status among individuals with food insecurity. As both oral health and nutritional well-being play pivotal roles in overall health, understanding their interplay in the context of food insecurity becomes important. This study investigated how inadequate access to food resources, a characteristic of food insecurity, can impact oral health, leading to a spectrum of dental issues. The study explores the impact of compromised oral health on dietary habits, potentially resulting in nutritional deficiencies or malnutrition. By examining the potential pathways through which these factors influence each other, the study …

Dentistry And The Law: Taking Records When Leaving A Practice, Dan Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

MDA Legal Counsel Dan Schulte advises on departing partner issues: without contracts, disputes arise regarding records, patient ownership, and practice buyout. Employment and shareholder agreements ensure orderly transitions and protect practice interests. Patient records legally belong to the practice, and transferring them without consent violates laws. Patients can request records, but fees apply. Schulte stresses the importance of agreements to avoid costly disputes and ensure continuity of care.

Effectiveness Of Blended Pedagogy For Radiographic Interpretation Skills In Operative Dentistry - A Comparison Of Test Scores And Student Experiences At An Undergraduate Dental School In Pakistan, Marium Iqbal, Jacqueline Maria Dias, Amber Shahmim Sultan, Hussain Ahmed Raza, Laeeq Uz Zaman

Department for Educational Development

Background: Utilizing Blended pedagogy (BP) in radiographic skills may prove to be an effective teaching strategy. However, studies on the use of BP in dentistry are quite limited in Pakistan, where teaching has mostly been via traditional Didactic Lectures (DL); and radiographic interpretation skills of undergraduate dental students are suboptimal. Therefore, this study aims to assess whether utilizing BP to teach radiographic interpretation skills is an effective teaching methodology in Pakistan.
Methods: This mixed-method study was conducted on final year dental students at Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC). Two groups of students were utilized for this study, one taught …

Patient And Dentist Perspectives On Collecting Patient Reported Outcomes After Painful Dental Procedures In The National Dental Pbrn, Elsbeth Kalenderian, Sayali Tungare, Urvi Mehta, Sharmeen Hamid, Rahma Mungia, Alfa-Ibrahim Yansane, David Holmes, Kim Funkhouser, Ana M Ibarra-Noriega, Janelle Urata, D Brad Rindal, Heiko Spallek, Joel White, Muhammad F Walji

Student and Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND: Dental Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs) relate to a dental patient's subjective experience of their oral health. How practitioners and patients value PROs influences their successful use in practice.

METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 22 practitioners and 32 patients who provided feedback on using a mobile health (mHealth) platform to collect the pain experience after dental procedures. A themes analysis was conducted to identify implementation barriers and facilitators.

RESULTS: Five themes were uncovered: (1) Sense of Better Care. (2) Tailored Follow-up based on the dental procedure and patient's pain experience. (3) Effective Messaging and Alerts. (4) Usable Digital Platform. …

Staying Focused On A Moving Target: Coping With Change, North Shetter Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Amid rapid changes in dentistry, this commentary addresses strategies to manage stress and maintain professional balance. Drawing parallels to Moore's Law in technology, the author emphasizes the need for a balanced life, integrating work, play, love, and worship. The concept, rooted in the Pankey Philosophy, aligns with principles from Stephen Covey's Seven Habits. Core skills, including patient relationships, foundational dental practices, periodontal health, occlusion, and perpetual learning, are deemed essential. The article underscores the importance of personal dental health and advocates for study clubs to share, learn, and mentor, fostering a positive professional environment amid evolving technologies and information overload.

Integration Of Massive Open Online Course (Mooc) In Conventional Teaching And Learning For Fixed Prosthodontics - A Case Study, Nor Faharina Abdul Hamid, Rohana Ahmad, Tong Wah Lim, Nur Hafizah Kamar Affendi, Tengku Fazrina Tengku Mohd Ariff, Melati Mahmud, Siti Mariam Ab Ghani

Journal of Dentistry Indonesia

The potential for Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) in clinical dentistry remains vague and inadequately explored. Objectives: The study aims to obtain insight into the development of MOOCs in Fixed Partial Dental Prostheses (FPDPs) and to assess students’ learning preferences, module quality, and interface usability. Methods: The MOOCs was created by seven academicians with prosthodontic backgrounds. After completing the MOOCs and three complementary online discussion sessions, the students (n = 89) were invited to participate in an online survey. SPSS version 23 was used to calculate the frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation of categorical data (SD). Results …

Coaching And Laissez-Faire Leadership Styles, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Editor Dr. Michelle C. Dziurgot discusses the differences between coaching and laissez-faire leadership styles in dentistry. Coaching leaders motivate and educate their team members, fostering collaboration and improvement. In contrast, laissez-faire leaders take a more hands-off approach, allowing team members to make decisions independently. The author, a dentist, describes how she combines both styles in her practice, emphasizing the importance of educating and coaching team members while allowing them to take ownership of their roles. The editorial highlights the need for patient engagement in oral health care and the importance of coaching patients to take an active role in their …

Bulletin Of The Virginia State Dental Association (Vol. 38, No. 3, 1961)

Bulletin of the Virginia State Dental Association

No abstract provided.

Bulletin Of The Virginia State Dental Association (Vol. 38, No. 1, 1961)

Bulletin of the Virginia State Dental Association

No abstract provided.

Bulletin Of The Virginia State Dental Association (Vol. 38, No. 2, 1961)

Bulletin of the Virginia State Dental Association

No abstract provided.

What Does Professionalism Mean To You? Part I, Michael G. Maihofer Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This commentary explores generational perspectives on professionalism in dentistry, focusing on how younger dentists perceive this concept. It highlights the changing dynamics in dentistry and questions whether professionalism remains relevant in a world where various practice models exist. Insights from young dentists shed light on their commitment to professionalism and its evolving definition, emphasizing the importance of caring for patients and maintaining high-quality care.

Aging An Ancient Maya Population From Actuncan, Belize Using Dental X-Rays, Kaitlyn Nicole Cash

Honors Theses

My goal is to determine an accurate age at death estimation of an ancient Maya population from the archaeological site of Actuncan, Belize. This was done by measuring the lengths of the coronal pulp cavities in the individuals’ teeth. I used X-Ray images to measure the coronal pulp cavities of the teeth and estimated age using multiple regression formulae for premolars, molars, and incisors to make age estimations. The formulae came from two studies, Ikeda et al. (1985) and Drusini (2008), that form the basis of my research. Ikeda et al. (1985) was the first to use this aging method, …

Women In Dentistry At The University Of Mississippi: Increasing The Confidence And Skills Of Future Women Dentists, Lakin Cramer

Honors Theses

Women in Dentistry became a registered student organization in February 2022. The purpose of the organization is to encourage and promote the professional and personal success of women in dentistry on the University of Mississippi Oxford campus. The historical and current literature of Women in Dentistry serve to provide a framework for the importance of uplifting women as they prepare for a career in dentistry. During my time as Founder and President of Women in Dentistry, my goal was to establish the organization, provide mentorship to prospective female dental school applicants, and increase the confidence and skills of future women …

Will The Government Rip Up Employment Contracts?, Christopher J. Smiley

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial discusses the Federal Trade Commission's proposed rule to eliminate non-compete agreements, tracing their historical origins to the apprentice system in Europe. The author explores dentists' perspectives on this potential change, considering the need for talent acquisition versus workforce preservation. The editorial highlights the FTC's rationale for banning non-compete contracts and their impact on employee wages and innovation. It also addresses issues of boilerplate contract language and excessive leverage in the dental profession. The proposed rule aims to create consistency across states while allowing non-competes in specific cases. Dentist employers are advised to review and revise their agreements in …

Dental Care During The Covid-19 Pandemic: Patient Perceptions Of Barriers To Dental Care, Covid-19 Safety Precautions, And Administration Of The Covid-19 Vaccine At The Dental Office, Brunilda Lugo, Sheri Denslow, Jill Fromewick, Scott Davis, Katherine Jowers, J. Amadeo Valdez

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

The Mountain Area Health Education Center (MAHEC) Dental Health Center sought to learn how COVID-19 affected dental care attainment and patient perceptions of appropriate safety measures, as well as their acceptance of the dental office as a site for COVID-19 vaccinations.

Methods

A cross-sectional online survey of dental patients was performed to inquire about barriers to care, safety precautions, including COVID-19 testing, and the acceptability of vaccination for COVID-19 in the dental office. All adult patients of the MAHEC Dental Health Center with an email address on file and a clinic visit in the past year were randomized for …