Quality Improvement Commons^™

Trauma-Informed Care (Tic) In Dental Settings, Kristi M. Soileau, Angeline Lee

New Orleans Dental Association News

Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) is an approach that recognizes the impact of trauma on patients, considering trauma to better utilize methods for more effective patient care. This approach contains the following ten implementation domains that serve as a guide in organizational change:

1. Governance and Leadership
2. Policy
3. Physical Environment
4. Engagement and Involvement
5. Cross-sector Collaboration
6. Screening, Assessment, and Treatment Services
7. Training and Workforce Development
8. Progress Monitoring and Quality Assurance
9. Financing
10. Evaluation

Implementing TIC will ensure that patients feel safe and autonomous in dental clinics, which results in increased trust between patient and provider, reduced patient anxiety during office visits, and therefore better oral …

American Dental Association And Academy For Sports Dentistry Announce Collaboration To Advance Oral Health And Athlete Safety

New Orleans Dental Association News

Article announcing a new collaboration between the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy for Sports Dentistry (ASD) on as-yet undecided initiatives that could include educational opportunities and broader professional awareness of sports dentistry topics among current and future dentists.

Revolutionizing Dental Operatories: How Do We Do More Using Less?, Michael Zidile D.D.S., Brian Choi D.D.S.

The New York State Dental Journal

The authors present a transformative approach to modernizing dental operatories as part of their practice’s recent expansion. Aimed at enhancing efficiency and patient-centered care, the project reimagines traditional operatory design by eliminating ergonomic and hygienic barriers, notably, the use of keyboards and mice. Key innovations include the implementation of touchscreen PC displays, high-power PCs with graphics cards, magnetic USB cables for rapid data transfer, omnidirectional microphones linked to AI scribes and wireless intraoral scanning. The design prioritizes a standardized, clutter-free layout across eight operatories, utilizing A-Dec Inspire Series cabinets for ergonomic supply management. By removing countertops and pullout trays, the …

N Y State Dent J November 2025

The New York State Dental Journal

In the November 2025 issue, the reader will find the following feature articles:

• "Attitudes of New York State Pediatric Dentists Toward Treating Hasidic Patients"
• "A Qualitative Assessment of the Role of Dental Specialists in U.S. Opioid Epidemic"
• "Revolutionizing Dental Operatories"
• "An Update on Non-Cigarette Nicotine-Containing Products and the Periodontal Patient"

This issue includes regular columns with regional news impacting the New York membership including: editorial and legal columns, association activities, component news, continuing education opportunities, and classifieds.

It’S Not Elementary, My Dear Ai, Mali Schantz-Feld Ma, Cde

AADEJ - The Communicator

In this issue, Associate Editor Mali Schantz-Feld cautions dental communicators about the irresponsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), highlighting three major risks. The first is the fabrication or "hallucination" of non-existent scholarly references, exemplified by submitted articles where more than half of the citations were fake. The second risk is the removal of human personality, emotion, and nuance, which causes content to feel robotic; this occurred when a profile of an inspiring dentist was run through AI, stripping away their inner light and philosophy. The third danger is the generation of statistics, charts, or figures without providing necessary data or …

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.

Agents Of Change: Which One Are You?, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In her editorial, Michelle C. Dziurgot, DDS, explores various roles dentists play as agents of change, including catalysts for urgency, collaborators with specialists, diligent workers for accuracy, risk-taking entrepreneurs, charismatic leaders, and peacemakers who resolve conflicts within their practices.

Uda To Rda: A Pathway To Greater Success, Margaret Gingrich Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

UDA to RDA: A Pathway to Greater Success" by Margaret Gingrich, DDS, explores the advantages of transitioning unlicensed dental auxiliaries (UDAs) to registered dental assistants (RDAs). The article emphasizes the benefits for both practitioners and staff, citing increased efficiency, improved patient care, and expanded practice capabilities. Dr. Gingrich shares personal experiences from her rural practice, highlighting the challenges of workforce shortages and the strategic adoption of RDAs to address these issues. She outlines a pathway for UDAs to attain RDA status through targeted training programs and contractual agreements, enhancing career satisfaction and practice productivity. The article underscores the importance of …

The Pacesetter Style Of Leadership, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial explores the pacesetter leadership style, likening it to a marathon "rabbit" setting a fast pace. Pacesetters, exemplified by figures like Jack Welch and James Cameron, set ambitious goals, driving themselves and their teams relentlessly. While effective in achieving short-term goals and maximizing team potential, drawbacks include employee stress, lack of feedback, and a "rat race" atmosphere. The author, a self-identified pacesetter with a compassionate approach, emphasizes the importance of balancing high standards with employee well-being for sustained success.

J Mich Dent Assoc November 2023

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on The University of Michigan's Gordon H. Sindecuse Museum of Dentistry.
• News you need, Editorial and regular department articles on MDA Foundation activities, Dentistry and the Law, Staff Matters, and component news.

This issue also includes two articles reprinted with permission.

• A feature from Ontario Dentist on The Challenge of False Belief: …

Staff Matters: Do You Have Quiet Quitters In Your Practice?, Jodi Schafer Sphr, Shrm-Scp

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In the post-COVID workplace, "quiet quitting" has become a concerning issue where employees meet basic job requirements but lack motivation. This behavior includes a reluctance to take on extra tasks or provide input. To address it, communicate with the affected employees, inquire about their well-being, and assess whether the cause is work-related or personal. Fostering appreciation, connection to the practice's goals, and open feedback can help re-engage employees. Regular one-on-one meetings promote relationships and demonstrate care for their success, improving morale and engagement.

Quality And Transparency, Christopher J. Smiley Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In a recent JDR Clinical & Translational Research report, the American Dental Association's clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) were determined to offer high-quality guidance for the dental profession. The study employed the AGREE II tool to validate the ADA's guidelines’ methodological rigor and transparency, ensuring their quality. This external review is promising for the profession, as it indicates that the ADA has developed reliable CPGs that support advocacy and implementation. However, the article raises questions about consumer-targeted quality scores for dentist providers, such as DentaQual by P&R Dental Strategies LLC. It suggests that for such scoring systems to be credible, they …

J Mich Dent Assoc July 2022

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Monthly, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and feature articles to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists! In this July 2022 issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover feature on negotiating reimbursement rates with PPO contracts.
• A cover feature on guarding against employee embezzlement.
• A 10-Minute EBD on rampant caries management and prevention with ADHD patients taking stimulant medications.
• A Back Page look at the 2022 MDA award winners.
• News you need: an Editorial, guidance on dental practice cybersecurity, and regular department …

J Mich Dent Assoc August 2020

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Every month, The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association brings news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200+ members. No publication reaches more Michigan dentists!

In this issue, the reader will find the following original content:

• A cover story on "Antibiotic Guidelines for Dentistry: Who, When, What, Why, and How to Prescribe”.
• A feature, “Collaboration Is the Wave of the Future: Hospital-Based General Practice Residency”.
• “Taking Advantage of Secondary and Tertiary Evidence”, a feature in the JMDA’s series on evidence-based dentistry.
• “Statistics Tutorial Part III: Interpretation of Forest Plots from Meta …