Sep 1, 2022

Dentistry and Pumpkin Spice Season

Summer has come and gone. Pumpkin spice latte season has begun. School is back in session and our clinics seem a bit calmer than usual. We have our seasons in this profession and it seems to me that September along with March are some of our not-so-chaotic months. Could back-to-school be the main culprit? Or would that be too easy of an explanation? Whether the lull is good or bad, there are many ways we can practice resiliency through the times ahead and find ways to improve.

Aug 15, 2022

Meet the Teacher– Dental School Edition

‘Tis the season… back to school season that is. “Meet the Teacher” night traditionally marks the end of summer break and commences the new semester. To celebrate the upcoming school year, I interviewed my good friend and colleague, Dr. Emily Eggart, a clinical professor at Texas A&M University College of Dentistry. Follow along for her perspective on current dental education trends, why she decided to teach and her thoughts about the future of our profession.

Jun 13, 2022

Why CE for your Staff is Great for Your Bottom Line

Continuing education is a must for all dental professionals. Not only is it required for relicensing, lifelong learning is essential for staff to keep up with changes in science, technology and state regulations. Providing financial support for continuing education shows staff that their practice office leaders see their value. In turn practice owners receive a hefty return:

Jun 1, 2022

Ask Me Anything: Why We Started a YouTube Channel

Today’s business owners know that social media helps drive awareness. Having a strong social media presence can help your practice stay in contact with patients and create new interest with prospective patients. Creating interesting content and sharing it regularly on your practice’s site shows your knowledge of dentistry and helps your website rank higher on Google, which in turn increases your chances of being found by those in need. Starting a text blog or video blog can provide answers to health questions to current and prospective patients, presenting you as a content expert and helping to drive business your way. DCDS member Stephanie R. Ganter, DDS, MS describes the video blog she started on YouTube with her co-host Robert G. McNeill, DDS, MD.

May 2, 2022

Onboarding a New Associate

Are you hiring a new associate? I can only imagine that this can be a scary process for most practice owners, but I can assure you that it can also be a scary and stressful time for the dentist coming in. Having been an associate and a temporary dentist at several offices over the last eight years, I would like to offer my insight from the perspective of the associate to hopefully help the transition be positive and smooth for both parties.

Mar 7, 2022

Staffing Challenges Post-COVID

The dental world is not as we have known it! We are experiencing a staffing crisis, and it is difficult to find the right employee. The big question is: where do I to find the applicants for the position I need to fill?

Feb 23, 2022

Considerations for Treating the Advanced Aged Dental Patient

​It was once commonly thought that as a person reaches old age, he or she will become totally edentulous and a denture wearer. Several things have since changed society’s attitude and thought towards dentistry and the elderly. People are now living longer and desire to keep their natural teeth.

Dec 18, 2021

Do You Need An Amalgam Separator?

July 14, 2020 is the date you must have an amalgam separator installed in your office to comply with EPA amalgam waste regulations. Here's suggestions on what to look for.

Dec 10, 2021

Achieving work-life balance: A personal story

Juggling the demands of career and personal life is an ongoing challenge in dentistry. As DCDS member Stephanie Ganter, DDS, MS explains in this vlog, setting limits and looking after yourself can help you achieve the work-life balance that's best for you.

Oct 15, 2021

Let’s Talk Marijuana

Well my fellow Texans, let’s face it, the word is out — Texas has no income tax and a relatively low cost of living. What does this mean for us locals? On one hand, an inflow of residents means increasing traffic and housing costs; on the positive side, it also means an increase in business. As practitioners of the oral cavity, these new patients from other states may bring with them new oral and systemic health concerns to look out for — so let’s talk marijuana.

Sep 13, 2021

Ergonomics in Dentistry

It feels like yesterday being in the simulation lab where professors told you what you get use to now will be how you practice in the future. I vividly remember saying to myself, “This is just for the exam, I won’t work like this on a patient in the future.” However, they were right! Dentistry is one of the hardest professions on your body, and you need to be consciously aware of your body all the time to preserve it.

Aug 31, 2021

Utilizing Personality Testing to Build Team Dynamics and Understand Your Team

Building and maintaining a successful dental team is somewhat like conducting a symphony with many sections of musicians playing different instruments. A good conductor sets the tempo while directing and shaping the way the musical piece comes together. In order to do so, he or she must have an understanding of how sounds from each instrument blend best and complement each other. Likewise, a lead dentist or practice owner must understand his or her team members’ personality styles in order to create and foster a healthy working environment.

May 17, 2021

Top 5 Reasons to Bring Your Entire Dental Team to the Southwest Dental Conference

Conferences are a great way to increase skills, exchange information and develop professional or social contacts. Plus they can be out-of-the-ordinary fun for team members that need a break from the daily grind. Going solo may initially be seen as a financial benefit; but there are many more reasons to bring the whole dental team along to the Southwest Dental Conference (SWDC).

Apr 20, 2021

7 Tips for Staying Healthy in a Viral World

Staying healthy in today's viral world means more than simply washing hands and covering a sneeze with a tissue.

Apr 14, 2021

Sleep-Related Breathing Disorders and the Dental Team

Dentistry as a profession has been very successful at establishing a well care model that medicine doesn’t have, and has by nature of a more favorable practice model the opportunity to become an integral part of our patients' well-being beyond traditional dental care.

Mar 30, 2021

Early Dental Implant Failure and Vitamin D Deficiency

Take consideration of vitamin D deficiency as a contributing factor that could impact your patient’s dental health and healing after surgery.

Feb 3, 2021

The Increasing Importance of Digital Workflows

With digital workflows, we can quickly get diagnostic information and disperse that information to our entire team quickly.

Jan 25, 2021

Questions about water fluoridation? ADA statement addresses a recent study.

You have may have seen that JAMA Pediatrics just published a study that hints at an apparent association between fluoride during pregnancy and IQ. The authors of the study note its various limitations and the fact that additional research should be conducted.

Dec 7, 2020

5 Ways to Keep Yourself and Your Family Healthy During the COVID-19 Pandemic

As health care providers, it important for dentists to find ways to keep ourselves healthy as well as our families. This involves self-care habits, nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress reducing techniques.

Oct 20, 2020

Finding Pandemic Silver Linings

Think about how the advice Clooney’s character in Up in the Air gives the unfortunate souls sitting across the cheap office furniture from him relates to our present moment in history. What opportunities may this national crisis offer each of us?