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Journal IDA

The Journal IDA is a peer-reviewed, scientific periodical owned and published by the Indiana Dental Association, a constituent of the American Dental Association.

Journal IDA concentrates on the clinical aspects of dentistry, including case studies and research; practice management and business aspects of dentistry, from start up to transition; and also includes special and regular feature articles.

Teaching The Next Generation: Challenging The Narrative And Shifting Perspectives

Journal IDA

The accessibility of information in today's digital age, especially with integration of Generative AI across all platforms, has shifted the role of education from merely transmitting facts to cultivating the skills necessary to navigate, analyze, and synthesize this wealth of knowledge. We are moving beyond foundational knowledge acquisition to higher order thinking within Bloom’s taxonomy. The future demands learners who are not just informed but inspired - individuals capable of questioning the status quo, solving complex problems, and innovating in diverse and interdisciplinary ways. To achieve this, we must invest in pedagogical practices that nurture critical thinking and digital literacy. …

July 2026 Mda At Your Service — Who Can Supervise Dental Assistant Radiography Training In Michigan?, Mda Membership Department Staff

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This Q&A feature provides practical guidance on common professional and licensing questions for Michigan dentists. It clarifies that any licensed dentist can supervise required dental assistant radiography training, highlighting the MDA's online program. The article also offers advice for new dentists looking to connect with colleagues through local societies and the "New Doc Connection" online hub. Additionally, it outlines the mandatory steps for updating a professional license after a legal name change and directs members to valuable MDA resources for navigating dental insurance contracts and third-party payer agreements.

J Mich Dent Assoc July 2026

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Each month, the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association delivers news, information, and features about Michigan dentistry to our state's oral health community and the MDA's 6,200-plus members. It remains the main publication reaching Michigan dentists and is available worldwide through ADA Commons.

The July 2026 (Volume 108, No. 7) issue of the Journal is published in print format to provide updates and insights for Michigan's oral health community and MDA members. Print editions occur every other month beginning with January.

The July 2026 issue of the Journal of the Michigan Dental Association celebrates the 40th anniversary of the association's …

July 2026 Feature Article 2 — Burning Mouth Syndrome In Dental Settings: Clinical Clues, Diagnostic Approaches, And Management With Topical Doxepin And Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Elizabeth R. Hatfield, Dds, Elizabeth A. Van Tubergen, Dds, Phd, Felipe Nör Dds, Ms, Phd

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This clinical case report explores Burning Mouth Syndrome (BMS), a chronic pain condition predominantly affecting post-menopausal women. Describing BMS as a diagnosis of exclusion with often idiopathic origins, the authors present a case study of a 54-year-old female patient. They review the challenges of traditional management and detail a novel, effective treatment using a combination of topical doxepin oral rinse and oral alpha-lipoic acid. The article provides dentists with practical strategies for recognition and diagnostic procedures, emphasizing their role as the first line of care for improving the quality of life for BMS sufferers.

July 2026 Feature Article 3 — Introducing: The Great Lakes Dental Summit!, Emily Varsanik, Annie Mcintosh

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article announces the reimagining of the Michigan Dental Association's flagship annual meeting, evolving from the MDA Annual Session into the Great Lakes Dental Summit, set to debut in 2027. The transition reflects the changing needs of dental professionals who desire more integrated, collaborative experiences beyond traditional lectures. The summit will feature segmented programming, expanded networking opportunities, and a more inclusive approach for the entire dental team. By focusing on well-being and innovation while maintaining high-quality CE, the MDA aims to provide a renewed and exceptional in-person connection for its members.

American Dental Association And American Board Of Dental Examiners Advance Dental Licensure Examinations Through New Agreement

New Orleans Dental Association News

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) have finalized an agreement to license the ADA’s Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) for incorporation into the ADEX Dental Examination, marking a significant step forward in modernizing dental licensure and advancing patient safety.

Changes In The Dental & Oral Health Information Landscape, Alisun Dekock, Melissa Ernst, Jimmy Gonzalez Vicker, Kelly O'Brien

Individual Scholarship

As we navigate rapid changes to information access and utilization, dental and oral health care professionals are finding new ways to meet the needs of their users. Practitioners locating, evaluating, and applying research continues to encounter new obstacles, including significant changes to institutions that share health data and make recommendations. This poster discusses effective strategies dentistry librarians have used for information retrieval, method analysis, and patient education.

Background  

This poster provides an overview of how four dentistry librarians are responding to trends and changes in the dental and oral health information landscape at their various institutions and organizations.

Description   

Within …

Managing Oro-Antral Communications After Tooth Extractions: A Guide For General Dentists, Ross Brockman Dmd, Md, G. E. Ghali Dds, Md

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This clinical feature provides general dentists with a detailed guide on managing oro-antral communications (OACs) resulting from tooth extractions. It distinguishes between acute OACs and chronic oro-antral fistulas (OAFs), identifying anatomical and surgical risk factors. The authors outline conservative management strategies for small communications, including sinus precautions and pharmacotherapy, as well as surgical techniques like the buccal advancement flap for larger defects. The article concludes with specific criteria for specialist referral, ensuring that dentists can optimize patient outcomes and prevent long-term complications such as chronic sinusitis.

Dentistry Is The Life For Me, Michelle C. Dziurgot

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

In this editorial, the author reflects on her long career in dentistry and shares recent experiences with practice management and technological upgrades. She details the challenging but successful process of renegotiating PPO contracts to improve reimbursement rates and the financial benefits of moving to a more efficient office space. The author also highlights the clinical benefits of new equipment, such as a hand-held X-ray unit, and expresses her continued passion for the profession. The piece serves as both a personal reflection and an encouragement to colleagues to find joy and efficiency in their practices.

The Back Page: Helping The Homeless Through The Delonis Oral Health Initiative, Sarah Tomaka, Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This feature story highlights a student-led initiative at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry to provide dental care to Ann Arbor's unhoused population. Through the Delonis Oral Health Initiative, students have partnered with a local shelter to connect over 100 vulnerable patients with essential treatment. The article discusses the profound impact of treating dental pain on an individual's ability to pursue stable housing and a better life. It also showcases how the program provides students with meaningful leadership and community service experience while addressing a critical gap in public health.

Conditions Affecting The Gi Tract: The Dental Professional’S Role, Sherri M. Lukes, Rdh, Ms, Faadh

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This article explores the critical role dental professionals play in identifying gastrointestinal (GI) conditions through their oral manifestations. It provides an overview of various pathologies, including HPV-induced oropharyngeal cancer, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. The author describes specific oral signs, such as dental erosion and aphthous ulcerations, that can serve as early indicators of systemic disease. The piece advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, emphasizing that dental practitioners are often on the front lines of diagnosing serious systemic health issues.

Dr. Deb Peters: Opening Doors As The Ada’S New Speaker, Debra Peters, Christopher J. Smiley

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This interview profiles Dr. Deb Peters, the first female speaker of the ADA House of Delegates. Dr. Peters shares her vision for making the ADA more accessible, transparent, and responsive to its members. She discusses her leadership philosophy, emphasizing listening and mentorship, and explains how effective governance can lead to significant real-world impacts, such as the removal of taxes on dental prosthetics. Dr. Peters also outlines her goals for modernizing the House of Delegates process, including the creation of a "Resolution Dashboard" to help members track policy progress.

The Clear Custom Matrix Technique For Class Ii Light-Cured Composites, James C. Hamilton, Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This clinical article details the Clear Custom Matrix Technique (CCMT), an innovative method for placing posterior composite restorations. The technique uses a pre-operative PVS impression to act as a die, reforming unset composite to precisely match the tooth's original anatomy. The author provides a step-by-step guide, demonstrating how the method saves chair time, reduces the need for finishing and polishing, and eliminates the air-inhibited layer. The article also discusses matrix selection, layering techniques, and troubleshooting common clinical challenges to achieve highly accurate and aesthetic results.

The Dental Phantom As A Tool For Exploring Fear, The Face, And Dental Education, Christine Slobogin Phd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dental phantoms have been used in dental education since the late nineteenth century. These pedagogical objects – particularly those from the first half of the twentieth century – have today enjoyed a resurgence of interest in the art and film worlds. After first outlining the history and pedagogical purposes of the dental phantom, this article examines what the artistic and filmic attractions to the aesthetics of these objects can tell us about fear, the mouth and the face, and dental education. How and why can a dental teaching tool be scary? Arriving at some answers to this question – reached …

A Dental Clinical Humanities Program At Uthealth Houston School Of Dentistry: The First Ten Years And Future Directions, Angela P. Gomez Edd, Mba, Ms, Deborah R. Franklin Dds, Lpc, Ctts, Nathan Carlin Phd, Joelle Robertson-Preidler Phd, Hec-C

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Dental Clinical Humanities Certificate Program was implemented 10 years ago at the UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry to expose dental students to dental humanities content and engage them in educational experiences exploring oral health care through humanities lenses, providing insight into the human condition and patient-centered approaches. With more than 30 students having graduated from the program, we conducted a retrospective analysis of the exit surveys previously distributed at the end of each academic year. The exit survey focused on their general program feedback, including the effects of dental humanities as an academic enterprise, cultivating their self-knowledge and serving …

The Pent-Up Demand For Humanities And Ethics In Dentistry, Nathan Carlin, Nanette Elster, Catherine Flaitz, Nicholas Mercado Drph, Ms, Laurie Munro, Chelsey Patten, Joelle Robertson-Preidler, Margie Hodges Shaw Jd, Ma, Phd, Christine Slobogin Phd, Matthew Wynia, Michael Yunker Dds

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Editorial is a feature in each issue of the JACD. It includes commentary on issue content, relevant topics, or other items of interest to the fellowship.

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2a

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care. The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

Shingles: A Case Report, Michele White Dds, Ryan Vahdani Dds, Mha, Gary Frey Dds, Ben Warner Ms, Dds, Md

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This case report details a 58-year-old male who presented at a dental urgent care clinic with oral pain and a facial rash. The report identifies the condition as shingles (herpes zoster), caused by the reactivation of the varicella-zoster virus. It explores the clinical presentation, differential diagnosis—distinguishing it from Ramsay Hunt Syndrome and Bell’s palsy—and emphasizes the importance of early antiviral treatment. Furthermore, the source highlights the role of dental practitioners in identifying infectious diseases and promoting vaccination. It serves as an educational tool for medical and dental clinicians to enhance collaborative care and expedite treatment through better recognition of shingles …

J Am Coll Dent 2026 92 2b

Journal of the American College of Dentists

This special issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists responds to a growing but long-underrecognized demand for humanities and ethics in dental education, practice, and scholarship. It emerges from the work of the National Collaborative on Humanities and Ethics in Dentistry (NCHED), a multi-institutional partnership formed in 2023 to address the persistent exclusion of dentistry from broader health humanities conversations. Through national webinars and scholarly collaboration, NCHED has demonstrated substantial interest in ethical reflection, historical analysis, narrative inquiry, and the arts as essential to understanding oral health and dental care.

The unexpectedly strong response to the call …

Embracing Imperfection And Stress As The Foundation For Growth, Excellence, And Well-Being In Dentistry, John W. Claytor Jr., Dds, Magd-Llsr, Facd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Studies reveal that stress in dentistry begins early in training and may progress throughout a dentist’s career. Fear of managing patient dissatisfaction, demanding schedules, time constraints, staff issues, and the stressors of clinical dentistry all contribute to professional strain. Difficulties associated with perfectionistic tendencies, burnout, and mental health concerns remain ever-present challenges within the profession. This article discusses evidence-based strategies, coping skills, organizational approaches, and professional resources that may help mitigate the effects of stress in dentistry. Particular emphasis is placed on reducing stigma surrounding mental health care and supporting initiatives such as the Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation’s “Safe Haven” …

No Need To Travel The Road To Licensure Renewal Alone, Brenda Turner

The New York State Dental Journal

NYSDA has the Tool to Support Dentists Every Step of the Way

From The Archives: Continued Competency Assessment: Its History And Role In The Health Professions

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Each issue of the Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD) features an archival article selected for its continued relevance to contemporary issues in dentistry. This article provides historical context and enduring insights that inform current discussions in the profession.

Practicing Dentistry And The Piano: Reflections On Coaching, Feedback, And The Humanities In Dental Education, Sarah E. Grafton Dmd

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dentistry is often described as both art and science, yet its pedagogy still leans heavily on technical instruction. Drawing on the author’s personal experience as a lifelong piano student, this paper explores the parallels between learning a musical instrument and developing clinical skills in dental education. Both domains require the integration of mind and hand, repeated practice, and feedback that transform mistakes into growth. Piano training illustrates that mastery emerges not from innate talent but from deliberate practice and the willingness to accept critique. This orientation provides a framework for understanding dental education as coaching rather than didactic instruction. Dental …

The Personal, Professional, And Practice: Integrating Health Humanities Into Dental Education, Margie Hodges Shaw Jd, Ma, Phd, Michael Yunker Dds, Nicholas Mercado Drph, Ms

Journal of the American College of Dentists

Dentistry’s evolution as a profession reflects both scientific progress and enduring tensions between commercial and service-oriented models of care. Despite long-standing commitments to ethical education, dental training continues to privilege technical mastery over professional identity formation, leaving some future practitioners underprepared for the ethical and relational complexities of clinical practice. This paper situates these challenges within the historical separation of dentistry and medicine and argues that integrating the health humanities into dental education can strengthen professional identity formation and clinical ethics competency. Using a case study, we demonstrate how biases, professional obligations, and patient trust intersect in practice. We introduce …

The Case For Credentialing Dental Assistants, Michelle Godofsky

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

Credentialing dental assistants is presented as a method to enhance productivity and address workforce shortages; currently, only about 15% of Michigan dental assistants are Registered Dental Assistants (RDAs). A case study at Thunder Bay Community Health Service, an FQHC in Northern Michigan, illustrates success, where RDAs perform expanded functions—like placing restorations and monitoring nitrous oxide—boosting clinic productivity by 16%. The clinic supports its dental assistants by covering education and exam expenses and providing study time during work hours. This investment improves job satisfaction, confidence, morale, and patient communication among staff, strengthening employee retention.

Impact In Action: Your Michigan Dental Association Foundation, Anne Berquist

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

The Michigan Dental Association (MDA) Foundation, a 501(c)3 non-profit, works to promote better dental health and support the future dental workforce through educational scholarships. The Foundation’s impact is increasing yearly, evidenced by a 42% increase in scholarship awards in 2024, providing $44,000 to 15 recipients. It also provides grants to statewide organizations delivering dental care to uninsured, impoverished, and underserved populations, awarding $141,500 in 2025. A high-profile program is the biannual Michigan Mission of Mercy (MOM), which provided over $1.1 million in donated care in Flint in 2024. Support is generated through various fundraisers, including the Year-End Fundraising Campaign.

Another Study Club??, Chris Gorecki Dds

Journal of the Macomb Dental Society

Membership value within professional dental organizations remains a critical issue as local and state societies face declining market shares, often below 40 percent. In contrast, the Macomb Dental Society currently maintains a market share of approximately 63 percent, underscoring both its relative strength and the need for continued innovation. Historically, membership was driven by professional obligation; however, newer dentists, burdened by financial pressures, are less likely to renew without clear demonstration of tangible benefits. To address this challenge, the Macomb Dental Society has explored initiatives that enhance member engagement, including leveraging existing study clubs as a conduit for continuing education …

New Dentist News (November 2025), Ada Committee On The New Dentist

New Dentist News

New Dentist News offers timely information on scientific, social, educational, political and economic developments affecting new dentists. This collection is historical and items may not reflect current standards. For up-to-date information contact the ADA. The New Dentist News was alternately titled ADA Lifeline, 1997-June 2001.

Ethical Care Is Excellent Care: Exploring How Dentists Can Approach Treating Visually Impaired Patients Through Different Ethical Frameworks, Elizabeth Gershater

Journal of the American College of Dentists

The Ozar-Hasegawa Annual Student Ethics Award recognizes an outstanding scholarly submission in dental ethics, published annually in the Journal of the American College of Dentists (JACD). This article highlights the winning work, selected for its significant contribution to advancing ethical reflection and professional responsibility in dentistry.