World Patient Safety Day and increasing awareness about dental quacking
While visiting the dentist can be uncomfortable, it is important that our patients are well-informed when choosing a provider. Ahead of World Patient Safety Day on Sept.17, we want to raise awareness about an issue that many may not have heard of: dental quacking. Medical quackery is defined as the act of practicing medicine based on false facts. Quackery in multiple medical fields has been practiced starting from the Middle Ages, peaking in the Renaissance. Charlatans — individuals taking an interest in science and spewing medical terminology to gain popularity — were booming. During this time period, individuals who participated in quackery were not arrested, despite the poor treatment of their patients due to a 1645 physician law, according to an article in the Journal of the California Dental Association. Today, quackery is usually present in rural areas of countries or places where there is lack of access to effective treatments, as well as a lack of awareness and financial means among patients. According to a January 2015 study, many patients who visit the dentist cannot afford it because they do not have insurance or the income to support it. In many parts of rural India, for example, a large part of the population falls below the poverty line, so citizens tend to look for cheaper options when seeking medical and dental treatment, a 2017 study reports. Lack of awareness and illiteracy also play a significant role in why quackery in dentistry is still happening today. The 2017 study says that quacks prey on individuals who lack the knowledge and caution of what quackery is and how dangerous it potentially can be to the public. These “providers” draw people to their practices with the help of the inaccurate knowledge they spew to their unsuspecting patients, promising to solve their needs. However, there is a solution to prevent such things from happening to our patients, and that is education. We need to raise awareness of what dental quacking is, how big a danger it can be to our patients and how to look for signs to identify one. The News Minute reports that the first thing all patients should do is check the qualifications of their dental providers and look for red flags, such as the “provider” insisting on pushing medications instead of running tests. We need to teach the public to not be afraid to ask medical professionals about their treatment plan because, at the end of the day, if they know what to do, they shouldn’t have a problem explaining it to you. Knowing when and where dental quacks can pop up and how to avoid them is crucial to the safety of our patients. ~Keerthana Vella, University of South Florida ‘23 Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/09/world-patient-safety-day-and-increasing.html September 15, 2021 at 11:10PM
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Starting a writing club during the pandemic
Ever since my undergraduate years at NYU, writing has always been a passion of mine. I wrote for news site Odyssey Online and had the opportunity to interview NYU students, singer Luke Wade and even ask a question to Sarah Jessica Parker. I loved the concept of journalism and writing because of how often I got to meet new people and write about their stories. In a recent leadership seminar, I heard a phrase that stuck with me: Writing can be scary because there is no place to hide, but that is what makes it so powerful. I felt that phrase completely and knew I wanted to take away that fear and turn writing into something hopeful and safe. I never thought about creating a student club that graciously combined writing with dentistry until the pandemic gave us all more time. Personally, the pandemic gave me more time to self-reflect and hold on to what is most important: family, health, friends, aspirations, intentions, and our well-being. As a third-year dental student in the middle of quarantine, I wanted to start a club that could unite dental students, faculty and alumni. In a time where we could not meet up with each other for months, I wanted to encourage students to stay connected. In a school as large as NYU College of Dentistry, it felt crucial to create a common place and a sense of belonging, especially during a time such as this. Since my first year at NYU College of Dentistry, every individual I have gotten to know on a more personal level has been warm and welcoming, and I wanted to embody those feelings in our online publications. I remember contacting numerous professors and students for weeks, and after a few months, I finally got the approval from student government to start this club. I wrote a constitution, created a Wix website and founded my executive team. Together, we edited and published monthly articles written by our peers. Unexpectedly, from our executive team to our editors to our webmaster, our first year as a student club was built on the foundation of strong and inspiring women. Each piece published begins with an idea and a poll. Every month, our executive team asks for topics from our club members. Thus far, we have published content on wellness, growing from failure, precision medicine and more. We have also interviewed NYU College of Dentistry faculty who were once in our shoes. The process for a student writer involves a lot of teamwork. First, the executive team will edit the writer’s piece, and then send it over to our faculty mentors. If the article is approved, from there, the writer will implement the changes and send the revised edition back to me for publication. Our webmaster then uploads all approved articles. With our monthly publications, our goal is to publish only respectful and authentic pieces, and we want to always hold true to that value. This student club has given us all a place to freely express our thoughts and get to know our student writers beyond dentistry. As we start our second year as a club this year, I hope it continuously serves as a platform for student writers to express their own voice. If given the opportunity, we’d love to help other programs adapt this same format, as it’s been such a gratifying experience for us all. I’m forever thankful for the mentors who believed in us from the beginning. Dentistry is a profession that is so versatile, and there is so much that can be combined with it. Writing happens to be one of my many passions that seems to flow well with my passion for dentistry: to have the ability to help people in the clinic and to also help others by publishing relatable, helpful pieces, demonstrating how grateful I am to be in this profession. ~Yunah Caroline Chun, New York ‘22 Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/09/starting-writing-club-during-pandemic.html September 09, 2021 at 12:10AM
Achieve better overall wellness
With grant funding from Crest + Oral-B, the ADA has spent the last year developing a suite of wellness programs for dentists and their teams. Explore these programs and more that support your financial wellness, your day-to-day clinic work and your overall self-care. Financial wellness
Physical wellness
Mental wellness
Check out ADA.org/wellness for additional resources, and be well! This blog post was sponsored by the American Dental Association. Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/09/achieve-better-overall-wellness.html September 07, 2021 at 11:10PM
New Dental Technologies You Can Use Now to Transform Smiles
We are living in an age when rapid advances in science and technology are revolutionizing dental care. What seemed like science fiction just a couple of decades ago is now a reality. Dental technologies are transforming smiles—but they are also improving the experience for both dentists and patients. Self-repairing teeth and the end of plaque bacteria may still be “out there” a bit. However, the technologies available today are paving the way for a new era in dentistry. TeledentistryThe use of teledentistry has seen huge growth. Its benefits in preventing the spread of disease by minimizing contact during the pandemic are clear. But, as face-to-face consultations come back, will the role of teledentistry still play a part? Talk of a post-pandemic world might seem premature. Local lockdowns or social distancing measures are still very much part of our lives. With the aim to avoid physical clinical interactions, all indications show that teledentistry will remain important in the future. Additionally, it confers benefits to dentists and patients that complement existing services. For example, patients can be triaged and offered the appropriate medical advice through a virtual emergency dentist appointment. Consequently, this avoids unnecessary visits to the dental office and improves accessibility, efficiency and waiting times. Pain-free InjectionsPain-free dentistry is a commonly used term, but it does nothing to alleviate the initial pain associated with an injection. This is caused by the pressure of the liquid being injected, not the needle. However, many patients associate the pain with the needle. Regrettably, just one negative experience with an injection can have an emotional impact on patients for the rest of their lives. Fortunately, emerging new technologies, such as The Wand® offer a solution. A small, computerized device that looks like a pen delivers the anesthesia slowly, providing a dental injection that is completely pain-free. Traditional anesthesia can leave the entire side of the face numb for several hours. This makes talking, drinking and eating difficult. Additionally, there is a greater chance of injury if the patient bites their cheek or tongue. Known as single-tooth anesthesia, it delivers it precisely to the area that needs it. Thus, any numbness is localized without affecting the wider area. Another advantage of this technology is that it works instantly. Dentists can commence treatment immediately, without waiting for the anesthesia to take effect—and patients spend less time in the chair. This is an advantage in children’s dentistry, since keeping them in the chair can be challenging. For children and needle-phobic adults, creating confidence is essential. Pain-free injections can play an important role in building trust. And if your patients trust you, they are more likely to return. Digital ImpressionsConventional dental impressions are made from alginate. This is a glutinous substance that is used to create molds of the teeth. Its application is uncomfortable and unpleasant, often invoking a gag reflex. It can also prove difficult for dentists to get an accurate impression without multiple attempts. A wide variety of dental procedures need impressions: crowns, dentures, orthodontics and mouthguards alike. A simpler and less uncomfortable way of obtaining accurate impressions would seem to be a win-win situation. Digital impressions offer that solution, benefiting patients and dentists alike. Using computer technology, the process is comfortable and quicker. A simple scanning process takes 3D images and projects them onto a chairside screen. This allows patients to see and understand the proposed treatment. The technology even demonstrates before and after treatment results. Consequently, patients are fully aware of the processes and expected outcome. CAD/CAM TechnologyCAD/CAM (computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing) is another digital tech solution revolutionizing dentistry. It is computer software used in the production of dental prostheses and restorations. Instead of using an outside laboratory to make restorations, such as crowns, it can be done in-house while the patient waits. Using digital images of a patient’s mouth, dental restorations are designed and displayed on a computer screen. The software allows changes to the size, shape and color of the restorations. Once complete, the final design is sent to an on-site milling machine. From a block of solid ceramic, the machine produces a tailor-made restoration. This is then fitted by the dentist the usual way, using a bonding process that secures the restoration in place. 1: Tooth preparation The tooth is prepared by removing decay or structurally unsound portions of the tooth 2: Intraoral scanning Captures 3D images of the prepared tooth and surrounding teeth 3: Design Restoration 4: Milling 5: Staining, glazing and polishing The restoration has the finishing touches applied to create a more natural appearance 6: Affix Restoration The complete process includes: The restoration is cemented firmly in place, using a special light-activated adhesive that bonds it securely to the tooth CAD/CAM is a single-visit treatment that can shave 2–3 weeks off treatment times. It is a convenient and more comfortable process for patients, and is easier for dentists. It is not always the best option for every patient, but is a great service to offer alongside traditional restorative dentistry. The TakeawayThis era of advancing technology is far from over. As patient expectations increase, future advances will offer even more options for clinicians. With enhanced patient care and comfort, a blueprint for better oral healthcare is now here. Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/09/new-dental-technologies-you-can-use-now.html September 02, 2021 at 04:12AM
The art of multitasking
Whether you are on the road to embarking on your dental school journey or already immersed in the rollercoaster ride called “dental school,” one of the most valuable assets you can acquire to enjoy the process of this journey is multitasking. However, it’s important to make sure you are multitasking efficiently. Saying no to distractions is the hardest but most important first step to mastering this skill. Try to say no to two hours of scrolling through Instagram. Maybe you can skip that social gathering on a Tuesday night and leave it for the weekend. If you keep mindlessly watching YouTube videos when you need to focus on your reading, say no to Wi-Fi until you finish that seemingly endless chapter. Doing simple swaps is sure to help you stay focused and avoid wasting time on tasks that need to be done, especially if doing two at the same time. Prioritize what projects you choose to work on and when, while trying to combine working on the right tasks together. Write down which tasks need to be done as soon as possible, as well as which ones require your full attention. It already can be a little more challenging to jump from task to task since your short-term memory can only handle so much. Make sure the tasks you do pair up have something in common so you can complete each one effectively and in a timely manner. Try listening to your operative lecture while simultaneously applying the knowledge you are hearing by practicing on your simulation mannequin tooth. You can also pair up easy, mindless tasks with ones that need a little more focus. Maybe you can listen to your lecture while making your lunch or exercising, or you can listen to that audiobook you’ve been wanting to read while practicing on your simulation mannequin. Make sure you give your brain a break. Keeping your mental functioning at the highest level is what will give you the energy to multitask efficiently. Whether it’s by taking time out of your day to meditate, pray, do some yoga, close your eyes for 10 minutes in between lectures or anything that helps your brain not work for a little bit, you will be giving yourself and your brain that extra boost to keep going. Here are a few links that have helped me: Learning how to multitask in a way that does not overwhelm you enough to cause even more stress is a skill that needs practice. The good news is anyone who sets their mind to practicing this skill enough — knowing the power of what having it in our world nowadays is — can do it! ~Loulia Al Bitar, Virginia ‘23 Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/09/the-art-of-multitasking.html September 01, 2021 at 10:16PM
Bridging the gap between health care disparities
This summer after my first year of dental school, I had the opportunity to intern at Bridging the Gaps, a community-based summer internship where health care students work with underserved communities in Philadelphia and gain insight into factors that affect health. For anyone interested in gaining experience with social determinants of health or working in public health, I recommend this program or participating in an interdisciplinary health care program like this one. Here are three lessons I learned participating in this program. 1. Context matters. This was an important theme discussed throughout the program. When assessing the well-being and attitude of the people we’re serving, it is important to take into account the context of their backgrounds. I worked with the organization Educators for Education to create a six-week online, court-mandated program for Black adolescent boys in the Philadelphia justice system who were at risk or previously involved in crime. The program focused on career development, health knowledge and life skills. Initially, I anticipated more excitement among the students for learning and more open dialogue during the workshops. However, as I learned more about the challenges the boys were coping with in and out of this program such as technological issues, lack of educational resources and family deaths, I began to understand how challenging it was for them to focus on learning. Context allowed my team and I to empathize and tailor the workshops to their needs. When we evaluated the effectiveness of our program, we considered these external factors that contributed to the attitudes and learning of our students. 2. Interdisciplinary approach to health care is valuable. One of the most transformative aspects of my internship was the opportunity to work with students from different schools in Philadelphia, representing different health care programs such as nursing, social work and policy, occupational therapy, medicine and veterinary medicine. We discussed patient case studies and the perspective that each profession would bring to patient care. Although I came into these discussions supporting an interdisciplinary approach to patient care, participating in these discussions brought to life the significance of the perspectives I overlooked as a dental student, simply because I had never learned about it formally. The profession of dentistry can often feel distant from other health care professions, but it doesn’t have to be. I challenge you to meet students from other programs and learn from one another. Working together, we can advocate for our patients effectively. 3. Practice radical empathy, not just empathy. This internship was the first time I have ever heard the term “radical empathy.” Isabel Wilkerson, author of “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” puts it best: “Radical empathy is not about you and what you think you would do in a situation you have never been in … It is the kindred connection from a place of deep knowing that opens your spirit to the pain of another as they perceive it.” The part of the quote that was most profound to me was the distinction between putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand a situation through your lens versus putting yourself in someone else’s shoes to understand a situation through their lens. In tackling health care disparities, it is important to be an ally for those who cannot speak up for themselves. To be a better ally, we need to take initiative to educate ourselves, instead of placing the burden upon vulnerable populations to inform us. ~Hilary Wong, Pennsylvania ’24 Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/08/bridging-gap-between-health-care.html August 25, 2021 at 10:10PM
Why Packers and Movers in Ghaziabad are necessary?
Have you ever think that how the team of Packers and Movers in Ghaziabad makes the shifting easy. Well, they indeed make the procedure of relocation quick without any worries of theft. Hence, you can explore the genuine one and ask them the way they accomplish tasks. Generally, the team of mover and packer work in the manner of packaging each and everything. Rather, it’s related to industrial or household-they make the entire relocation easier. They know how to manage entire packages and stuff. How it is important to hire 100% movers and packers?Yes, it is important to hire them that make the entire procedure easier.
These are the things to know before you’re going to hire any genuine services during relocation from one place to another. What are the things to ask before you’re going to hire them?
ConclusionAccording to the above article, it will be better to follow the above guidelines. Even you can also research them at LogisticMart. You’ll find 100% genuine Packers and Movers in Rajnagar Extension. So, be wise and invest with an authentic one. Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/08/why-packers-and-movers-in-ghaziabad-are.html August 21, 2021 at 09:10PM
Dental spas: A new concept of comfort
Despite advances in dentistry, dental anxiety remains a problem for many. Research in the January 2013 British Dental Journal found that roughly 36 percent of the population experiences dental anxiety while 12% experience extreme dental fear. In efforts to mitigate anxiety, a new business concept — dental spas — is rapidly growing and creating a new face of dentistry. Distinguishing fear, phobia and anxiety Cycle of dental anxiety Finish reading this article in the August issue of Contour magazine. ~Jane Lee, Houston ’23 Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/08/dental-spas-new-concept-of-comfort.html August 19, 2021 at 02:11AM
Innovating and creating ‘big ideas’ as a dental student
Day in and day out, there are thousands of products and processes whose design and function go by unnoticed. This is usually a sign of good design. A poorly designed product raises questions about how it could be made better. Most of the time, only a few seconds are given to the thought of how to improve something and no further action is taken. A year ago, my colleague Sean Riazi and I took issue with the plastic barriers in the dental setting, specifically the barriers on air-water sprays and suctions that come in close proximity to patients’ mouths. We find that plastic barriers are cumbersome and contribute to a large amount of plastic waste in the dental setting. Additionally, their sole purpose of infection control is not being met adequately due to their flimsy nature. Thoughts of how to improve this barrier system kept coming back to us. Soon, we found ourselves pursuing an idea that would offer more a protective, comfortable and sustainable dental barrier cover for our instruments. Over the course of a year, our alternative idea transformed from a simple thought to prototypes in the making. I’m not quite sure if Sean and I ever envisioned entrepreneurship for ourselves, but this project has stimulated a part of our brains we hadn’t noticed was so inactive. It is easy to get caught in our daily routine as students, focused on our requirements and career, without taking time to broaden our vision and hone our problem-solving skills outside the operatory. Here at the University of Pittsburgh, we are fortunate to have an amazing innovation center. The Big Idea Center at Pitt hosts year-round events such as pitch competitions and entrepreneur workshops. In the spring, the center hosts The Randall Family Big Idea Competition. During this two-month event, teams are paired up with experienced entrepreneurs and have the opportunity to research and develop their ideas. Our project, ProSil, took third place this year, and we plan to move forward with prototype testing and further market discovery with the intention of launching this product in the next two years. We look forward to the future of our product and the future of dentistry. Ultimately, our company will be one that improves infection control in the dental setting and offers sustainability to offices by cutting down on plastic waste. ~Vivian Villasenor, Pittsburgh ’22 Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/08/innovating-and-creating-big-ideas-as.html August 12, 2021 at 04:11AM
When should you start looking for disability income insurance?
At our firm, we have always held that disability income insurance is protection that anyone practicing dentistry should secure as soon as possible (read: immediately!). As a financial services professional, I am all too familiar with the common reasons doctors offer for putting off the purchase of this important risk management tool. I’ve heard, “Well, you know what, I am not making any money right now,” or “I’m still paying tuition!” Disability is one of those things that most people believe “will not happen to me,” until it, unfortunately, does and inevitably upends their life. Being “taken out” by a disability is hard enough physically and emotionally; it need not be exacerbated by the financial hardship that comes from losing your primary source of income. I would contend that in some ways, you’re probably worth more as a student than you are at any time in the future. Hard to believe? Well, it’s true! As a student, you are “all potential,” and as such, you have all your earning years ahead of you. That’s something to be cherished and protected. Securing disability income coverage while you are in training may put you in a position to update the coverage once you get out of your training program. Another great part is that once you obtain it, you may be able to update your coverage without regard to any changes that may have occurred in your health history. Again, if you’re a young person and you’re thinking “what kind of health changes?” – generally your body is in its best condition the younger you are. Also, by the time you graduate, your income likely will have gone up. Most people want to increase their disability income coverage at that point because there’s more at stake. Now that you’re making some “real” money, you want to make sure that you protect that income. Knowing that you have locked in your health history early in your career, it likely will allow you to access better rates for purchasing additional insurance. You may have heard that some companies offer discounted rates for dental students or residents. They may let you “lock in” a lower rate when you’re in school. Given that most people are in school when they’re younger and in better health, then obviously the rates you lock in will be in your favor. Think about that! Now is a great time to buy disability income insurance. Don’t put it off until after graduation – get it while you can. The bottom line is that disability income insurance is a kind of asset protection. You would never think of not having health insurance, would you? Of course not. Everything hinges on your physical health, and you want to protect that asset. It helps to think about disability insurance as the insurance you get to protect your financial health. It’s the stopgap measure that kicks in when you are unable to produce an income due to disability. Just remember, you’re likely the most valuable money-making asset you have. Treloar & Heisel and Treloar & Heisel Property and Casualty are divisions of Treloar & Heisel, Inc. ~Jamie L. Fehrs, MBA, ChFC®, Manager, Financial Services Association Division, Treloar & Heisel This blog post was sponsored by Treloar & Heisel. Via Dental Tips http://www.rssmix.com/via Blogger http://rickymanguson.blogspot.com/2021/08/when-should-you-start-looking-for.html August 10, 2021 at 11:10PM |