Dentistry Commons^™

Do You Know How To Prevent Financial Fraud In Your Dental Practice?, Phil Nieto

Virginia Dental Journal

Financial fraud is a significant concern for dental practices, with an estimated 20%-60% of dentists affected over their careers. To prevent embezzlement, dentists should utilize the security functions of their practice management software, including setting high-level user permissions and audit logs. Daily checks on patient returns and weekly audits of financial consistency are crucial. Monitoring these areas can help detect and deter fraudulent activities, ensuring the financial health of the practice.

Reduce Costs And Boost Profits, Robert Mcdermott

Virginia Dental Journal

Dental practices face significant challenges with time-consuming tasks like insurance verification, which can be streamlined through automation. Automated dental insurance verification can save nearly 30 hours a week, effectively adding a full-time employee without the overhead. This not only reduces costs but also improves patient care by identifying revenue and treatment opportunities. Additionally, revenue analytics tools help practices stay on top of patient eligibility and uncollected accounts, boosting overall profits. Solutions like iCoreConnect's cloud-based products offer comprehensive tools to enhance productivity and financial growth for both solo practices and DSOs.

Vda Member Perks Announces Expanded Endorsement With Icoreconnect, Elise Rupinski

Virginia Dental Journal

The VDA Member Perks Program has expanded its endorsement of iCoreConnect, adding five new services to its portfolio. Building on previous endorsements of HIPAA-compliant email, ePrescription software, and automated insurance verification, the new services include iCoreCloud for data backup, iCoreCodeGenius for medical coding, iCoreHuddle for analytics, iCoreHuddle+ for detailed practice metrics, and iCoreIT for managed IT services. These tools aim to enhance productivity and profitability for VDA members, who also receive exclusive savings on these services.

Social Media Trends And Tips For 2023, Michaela Mishoe

Virginia Dental Journal

In 2023, social media trends emphasize the importance of short-form videos, such as TikTok and Instagram Reels, to engage audiences. Educational content that adds value and is easy to understand can help break through the clutter. Collaborating with micro-influencers and other healthcare providers can expand reach and credibility. Regularly analyzing social media performance can guide content strategy adjustments. Lastly, maintaining authenticity in content is crucial for building trust and effectively communicating your practice's values.

Virginia Board Of Dentistry Notes December 2, 2022, Ursula Klostermyer Dds, Phd

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Board of Dentistry meeting on December 2, 2022, addressed several key issues. New Director of the Department of Health Professions, Mr. Arne W. Owens, acknowledged workforce shortages and proposed new ideas to tackle them. The Board discussed regulatory updates, including simplifying language and reducing reactivation costs for inactive licenses. They clarified procedures for taking vital signs during sedation and increased continuing education hours for dentists and dental hygienists providing free services to low-income individuals. The disciplinary report revealed that most closed cases were patient care-related, with some resulting in license suspensions.

Update: Smiles For Children Program (Medicaid), Roger Palmer

Virginia Dental Journal

The Smiles for Children program, part of Virginia's Medicaid, has expanded to provide comprehensive dental care to adults as of July 2021. This includes treatments like endodontics, crowns, and dentures. Despite a 30% fee increase in 2022, there is a shortage of participating dentists to meet the high demand. Dr. Roger Palmer encourages more dentists to join the program to help underserved populations, highlighting the satisfaction of restoring dental health and the streamlined payment process. For more information, dentists can contact Dr. Palmer directly.

Our Success Is Your Success, Laura Givens

Virginia Dental Journal

The Virginia Dental Association (VDA) successfully advocated for a 30% increase in dental Medicaid reimbursement rates, securing $116 million in new funding. The VDA is actively seeking contributions to its Political Action Committee (PAC) and encouraging participation in advocacy events like Dental Days at the Capitol. The 2022 contributions report shows varying levels of success across different regions, with a total of $298,492 raised, falling short of the $375,000 goal.

Reflections On Dentistry In The Year 2022, Gary Oyster Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

In 2022, the dental profession faced ongoing challenges from COVID-19, including workforce shortages. The ADA is working to address staffing issues and improve member engagement through initiatives like the SmileCon meeting and a new mobile app. Efforts are also underway to introduce legislation for a Medical Loss Ratio in dental plans across multiple states. Membership remains a priority, with a focus on engaging young dentists and those working for Dental Service Organizations (DSOs). The ADA aims to make all dentists feel welcome and involved.

School Days, Richard F. Roadcap Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

In the 1980s, Garrison Keillor's radio show humorously suggested that all children are above average, reflecting a modern culture where failure is often avoided. The document discusses the challenges faced by students in Organic Chemistry, particularly at New York University (NYU), where students petitioned for the dismissal of Dr. Maitland Jones Jr. due to his strict grading. This incident raises questions about whether academic standards should be relaxed for aspiring healthcare professionals and the implications of such actions on the quality of future providers. The author reflects on personal academic struggles and emphasizes the importance of overcoming failures to achieve …

Let’S Start The Year Off Right, Cynthia Southern Dds

Virginia Dental Journal

Dr. Cynthia Southern, in her New Year message, highlights a significant victory in Massachusetts where voters approved a dental loss ratio of 83% for insurance companies, similar to medical insurance under the Affordable Care Act. She urges other states, including Virginia, to adopt similar legislation to improve dental care coverage and reimbursement rates. Dr. Southern also addresses the 30% increase in Medicaid reimbursement rates and the ongoing workforce shortage in dental offices. She encourages contributions to the VDA Tooth PAC, recruitment of new members, and participation in Dental Days at the Capitol to advocate for these changes.

Ada News - 01/06/2025, American Dental Association, Publishing Division

ADA News

Established in 1970 as the official newspaper of the American Dental Association, the ADA News serves practicing dentists and others allied to the dental profession in the U.S. and internationally. It is the No. 1 source of news and information about the many benefits and services the ADA delivers to members daily as well as timely information on scientific, social, political and economic developments affecting dentistry and health care.

Fluoridation Facts, American Dental Association

Fluoridation Facts

Fluoridation Facts is the ADA's premier resource on fluoridation, answering frequently asked questions about community water fluoridation and the latest scientific research. The book assists policy makers and the general public in making informed decisions about fluoridation. With an easy-to-use question-and-answer format that draws on more than 400 references, the book answers queries about fluoridation's effectiveness, safety, practice and cost-effectiveness. 114 pages.

Living Guidelines: A Giant Leap For Patient Care, Clinical Practice, And Dental Journalism, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

Dr. Smiley's President's message recognizes the collaboration between the American Dental Association (ADA), the University of Pennsylvania and other stakeholders in launching the "living guideline collaboration" as a significant advancement for the profession. This initiative, focusing on oral health, will be continually updating clinical practice guidelines with new evidence, providing timely, rigorously reviewed, and reliable clinical guidance. He notes that previous ADA Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) were high-quality but many are now outdated, a point emphasized by the ADA Science & Research Institute’s External Review Committee. The Living Guideline Program, a collaboration with the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental …

Removal Of Fluoridation Caused 700% Increase In Serious Dental Infections

Bulletin of the Ninth District Dental Association

Yorktown Totwn Supervisor Lachterman is waiting for a decision by the EPA per court order to act concerning possibility of IQ loss at current fluoridation levels before making a final decision on town fluoridation. The court decision was based on a report by the National Toxicology Program of foreign studies of high dose exposure that the public health community deemed as having “high bias,” i.e., questionable studies and results. The EPA has decided to appeal the decision. Evidence-based studies deemed as having low bias have consistently shown no harm to IQ at fluoridation levels of 1.5mg/L, twice the amount of …

Paul Revere-Founding Father And America’S First Forensic Dentist, William J. Maloney

Bulletin of the Ninth District Dental Association

Paul Revere is remembered today for his many contributions to the independence efforts of the American colonies. It is also well-known that he was a skilled goldsmith and silversmith. Revere put these skills to use in providing dental care to the people of Boston. Revere had acquired his dental knowledge from John Baker- a dentist who emigrated from Europe to America in 1760 and is considered to be the first dentist to practice in North America. In his dental practice, Revere cleaned teeth and replaced missing teeth by wiring in replacement teeth usually utilizing various metals and animal bone.

Adaptability Is Key, Denise Maihofer

AADEJ - The Communicator

This quarter, AADEJ Executive Director Denise Maihofer highlights the constant nature of change and the AADEJ board's commitment to adaptability in evolving communication platforms and trends. She announces AADEJ's first webinar for 2025, "Guidance for Authors and Editors on the Use of Generative AI," held on March 20, which serves as a precursor to a comprehensive white paper on the subject. This webinar, free for renewed or new 2025 members, aims to provide a structured overview of generative AI's capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations, along with best practices for transparency and accuracy. Maihofer also shares "exciting news" about AADEJ partnering …

Aadej Comm 11 4 2025

AADEJ - The Communicator

The Communicator is the official journal of the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists (AADEJ), an organization founded in 1931 serving individuals and publications across the dental field, including state dental associations, component societies, specialty groups, alumni publications, student publications, allied professional organizations, and commercial publications.

AADEJ's mission is to promote the advancement of all phases of dental journalism and dental literature. Guided by its vision of "Elevating Dental Journalism and Communications," AADEJ advances ethical journalism by promoting responsible editorial practices, setting high professional standards, and providing education and services that foster the professional development of its members.

The …

Meet The 2025–2026 Aadej Board

AADEJ - The Communicator

On "The Back Page" we proudly introduce  the recently installed officers and committee chairs for the 2025–2026 term of the AADEJ. Led by President Dr. Jasmine Shafagh, the leadership team aims to provide national support, education, and networking opportunities for dental communicators. The board includes a mix of returning leaders and welcomes Dr. Cathy Hung as our new editor.

Medical-Dental Integration: Dispatches From “Both Sides Of The Aisle”, Lisa Simon Md, Dmd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

In 1840, when Chapin Harris and three other physicians founded the first dental school in the United States, they could not have known that their intention to elevate the practice of dentistry and improve dental care would have such a dramatic unintended consequence: to wholly sever the educational connection between medicine and dentistry. Since then, differences in policy, funding, and self-regulation of medicine and dentistry have only forced the fields further apart. As an example, in 1958, the Joint Council to Improve the Healthcare of the Aged was founded by both the American Medical Association and the American Dental Association …

Marketing The Message: Maximizing Engagement With Digital Publications Through Social Media, Email, And Analytics, Rich Evans

AADEJ - The Communicator

This article outlines a strategic approach for professional associations to enhance engagement with their digital publications in today's digital-first environment. Drawing from the Michigan Dental Association (MDA)'s transition to a fully digital Journal, it emphasizes the vital role of marketing and analytics. Key recommendations include leveraging social media for strategic visibility (e.g., summarizing articles, tagging authors, video pitches), implementing direct email delivery to members (e.g., monthly digests, audience segmentation), and ensuring easy website integration for accessible content. The piece also stresses the importance of mobile-responsive design, clear formatting, and multimedia embedding to improve the digital reading experience. It suggests evaluating …

Coaching Authors With Generative Ai, Christopher J. Smiley

AADEJ - The Communicator

This paper outlines a systematic methodology for dental editors to coach authors in the ethical use of generative artificial intelligence (GAI). By adopting "AI-First" or "Write-First" strategies, editors can help authors refine their thesis statements and improve logical flow while maintaining human oversight and intellectual integrity. Dr. Smiley asserts that GAI should be used as a tool to enhance communication rather than replace human creativity, ensuring authors remain accountable for their final expressions.

The Ethical Imperative Of Leadership In Dentistry, Mike Graham, Toni M. Roucka Rn, Dds, Ma, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Leadership is one of the four pillars of the American College of Dentists, taking its place alongside excellence, ethics, and professionalism. Leadership in dentistry carries an inherent ethical responsibility to uphold the trust and well-being of those who depend on us—our patients, our teams, and the community. When leaders in our field exercise their influence, they wield significant power over patient outcomes, industry standards, and public health policy. With this influence comes an imperative to act ethically, to ensure that decisions are guided by a commitment to care, integrity, and the best interests of those we serve. At the heart …

Interprofessional Models Of Care: A Strategic Framework For Advancing Integrated Healthcare, Daniel J. Pihlstrom Dds

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Interprofessional models of care (IPMC) provide a vital framework for improving the delivery of health services through the alignment of medical and dental protocols, integration of shared health data, and collaborative, team-based care. Drawing on both empirical data and theoretical models, this analysis explores how integrated care can become the norm rather than the exception.

Unifying Health And Oral Health—An Ethical Imperative, Shelia Brear Bds

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The 2024 Ethics Summit, Breaking Down the Silos, convened by the American College of Dentists, marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse on the ethical responsibilities of oral healthcare professionals. This distinguished gathering of interprofessional experts offered an insightful and urgent exploration into one of healthcare’s most pressing yet underexamined ethical imperatives: the moral obligation to fully integrate oral health into the broader healthcare system. The summit’s focus aligns powerfully with the mission of the American College of Dentists to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism, and leadership in oral healthcare.

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 …

Dentistry And The Law: The Difference Between ‘Non-Covered’ Vs. ‘Disallowed’ Services, Daniel Schulte Jd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The article clarifies the distinction between "non-covered" and "disallowed" services in dental plan audits. Non-covered services are not included in the patient’s dental plan, often due to plan limitations, while disallowed services are covered but deemed non-payable due to issues like claim deficiencies or lack of documentation. Dentists must review their contracts to understand obligations regarding non-covered services and ensure compliance with HIPAA for patient-paid services. For disallowed services, contesting decisions may be possible depending on the agreement with the dental plan.

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 Foundation: Great Things Are Ahead For The Mda Foundation In 2025, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The MDA Foundation expresses heartfelt gratitude to donors and volunteers who contributed to improving oral health care access and education in 2024. Efforts included funding free and reduced-cost clinics, awarding scholarships, and hosting the Mission of Mercy (MOM) free clinic in Flint. For 2025, plans include the Sparkling Smiles fundraising event during the MDA Annual Session in Detroit and laying the groundwork for next year’s MOM in Kalamazoo. The Foundation encourages applications for grants (deadline: May 1) and scholarships (applications open Aug. 1), continuing its commitment to supporting Michigan communities and dental students.

Breaking Down The Silo Of Dental Reimbursement, Ron Inge Dds

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Like it or not, reimbursement is at the heart of all actions and changes in our healthcare system. Several factors have contributed to the isolation of dentistry from the rest of the healthcare ecosystem, not the least of which is dentistry’s reliance on its own coding system. The American Dental Association (ADA) successfully established the Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes as the official code set for submitting electronic claims. This action further solidified the separation of dentistry from broader healthcare system.

A Student’S Perspective On Breaking Down The Silos In Healthcare, John Kerns Bs

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Student perspective article on healthcare siloes across medical fields.