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Innovative Trends in Dentistry

Dentists aim at making the world a better place one smile at a time. With the advancement in technology, innovations in dentistry are aiming to improve the patient experience by focusing on comfort, creating a quicker recovery time and performing minimally invasive procedures. These innovations are becoming the talk of the town in the dental world and patients often prefer picking a dentist who is technologically advanced for a better experience. Here are a few innovations in dentistry that have revolutionized the way dental problems are solved.

1. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a long way from when it was first formulated and it is slowly making its way into the world of dentistry. The use of AI in dentistry has various advantages. Some of them include:

AI helps find the correct position of dental implants.

It is also used in orthognathic surgery.

AI plays an important role in dental education by teaching budding dentists new techniques.

AI makes learning anatomy easy by using 3-dimensional visualization.

2. Teledentistry

With the current situation, people are reluctant to go anywhere, and even visiting a dentist is difficult for them. There is however good news for everyone out there. Nowadays, dentists are offering teledentistry to patients that cannot reach them needing a checkup. This method helps provide easy access to the top practitioners and there is no contact. This makes it safe for high-risk patients to get their dental checkups on time without risking their health.

3. Dental Laser Techniques

According to Dr. Huamán, “Periodontists are experts at saving teeth that other dentists might not have the expertise or technology to save.” Laser treatments offer the following advantages:

Minimally invasive

Lesser recovery time 

Minimal bleeding

No need for anesthesia

Safer for people with high blood pressure and diabetes

4. Upgraded Tooth Repair Procedures

The material used in tooth repair procedures can upgrade the process and change the course of treatment and its durability. The ease of application, strength and durability of the material used for fillings has increased in the past decade. A type of resin is being widely used for bonding teeth. This results in stronger bonds and looks similar to the natural tooth color.

5. 3D Printing and Assistive Computerized Design

The crown preparation procedure is a long and tedious one. With the help of computer-assisted design (CAD) and computer-assisted manufacturing (CAM), including 3D printing, the world of dental treatments is slowly changing. The process is becoming quicker and more affordable. 3D printers help in printing orthodontic models, retainers, surgical guides and dental equipment quickly and accurately. It also helps print clear aligners, which are affordable and aesthetically appealing in comparison to traditional braces. 

6. Intraoral Scanner

This is another digital gift to the world of dentistry. As the name suggests, this scanner is used for taking intraoral impressions. It is fast and accurate and delivers a smooth scanning experience. These impressions are used by dentists to prepare crowns, create implant prostheses and do other orthodontic work. It can also be used as a diagnostic tool wherein the scan can be shown to the patient to explain their oral health. It’s also a great way for dentists to visually monitor the progress of a patient and motivates those who need major dental surgery and have to go through months of treatment and therapy to get the desired results. 

7. Regenerative Dentistry

A recent innovation in the world of dentistry involves a dental filling that allows the tooth to heal on its own. This removes the need for invasive procedures. It also helps preserve as much of the natural tooth as possible, which in the long run contributes to better oral health. More and more dentists are now embracing this procedure since it is quick, works on all patients and is a great way to naturally restore a smile. 

8. Digital X-Rays and 3D Photos

Digital x-rays are one of the best innovations in dentistry. These x-rays can be conducted in the dentist’s chair and take away the need to visit a radiology lab. Patients no longer need to wait for hours before they can get an x-ray of their mouth. Digital x-rays can pop up on the screen within seconds. Since they don’t emit radiation, it is safer for pregnant women and small children. These x-rays can also be stored digitally and can store the dental history of the patient. Dentists just need to click on records or continue adding to the files to track progress.

3D photo options are used for faster and safer gum surgery by periodontists. This technology allows dentists to create a 3D picture of the patient’s face, soft tissues and underlying bone structure. This can be integrated with a CT scan of the bone structure to provide a detailed look at the facial soft tissue, bone and sinuses. This technique helps the dentist provide an effective diagnosis and plan the procedure more effectively. Taly Dental Specialists is the first in the San Diego area to use this effective 3D facial photo system in their clinic.

Benefits

It is faster, safer and comfortable

Helps in the diagnosis of complex dental problems

Provides a detailed 3D image of the face and jaw 

Image URL: https://unsplash.com/photos/-m-4tYmtLlI

Innovations in technology are making the process of creating a healthy smile easier for dentists and patients. Many dental specialists are now offering better solutions that help their patients and minimize the risk of health complications. These innovations also provide a quicker recovery time, higher accuracy rates, and most importantly, help patients overcome their fear of visiting a dentist.

from Dental https://thedentalgeek.com/2021/11/innovative-trends-in-dentistry/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Getting prepared and ‘bear-y’ excited for Advocacy Month

Now, I’m no comedian, but I feel inclined to share a joke with you to get things started:

What did the dental student see at the North Pole?

The same thing that you’ll see again this November — the Molar Bear!

Today is Nov. 1, which means welcome to Advocacy Month. If you aren’t familiar with the Molar Bear, she’s ASDA’s official mascot and is un-bear-ably cute! Throughout the month, she travels from chapter to chapter across the country and encourages dental students to get involved with advocacy and tackle some of its biggest questions like, what is grassroots advocacy? Why is it important? How should I get involved? Bear in mind — these are some important questions we’ll explore.

When we last saw our furry friend, the world looked a little different. COVID-19 forced us out of our clinics and classrooms, and launched us into a new virtual world. It was un-bear-able. While our fire to advocate for our profession and our patients refused to extinguish, advocacy in 2020 was a polar opposite from what we were used to.

But those changes weren’t fur-ever. The Molar Bear is coming out of hi-bear-nation just in time to celebrate. This year, we’re ready to take our advocacy to places we never thought paw-sible. This year, our efforts will focus on Getting Back to Our (Grass) Roots.

Are you still with me? Just bear-ly? Ok, let’s break it down to the bear minimum.

As much as Zoom allowed us to meet, strategize and collaborate, no Zoom meeting can replace the power of in-person grassroots advocacy. Grassroots advocacy means starting locally from the ground-up to influence issues at the state or federal level. We connect with our peers to discuss important issues affecting us today as students and tomorrow as dentists. Issues such as student debt, bear-iers to care and licensure reform keep us bear-ied in thought at the power of effecting change.

You may be wondering: How fur will these puns go? You wouldn’t bear-lieve we have a few more. Here’s how you can get involved this month.

To highlight how grassroots advocacy reaches all corners of the earth, we’re challenging every ASDA chapter to submit their most unique, adventurous and creative video to our “Oh, the Places the Molar Bear Will Go” video competition. Strike a paws with the Molar Bear at a park or in clinic, and show us all the paw-sible places the Molar Bear goes with you. We’re looking for fur-nominal videos, so you better high-tail it to your fur-vorite coffee shop.

Unsure about how to hold an in-person advocacy event after a year on Zoom? Bear sure to join us for our chapter idea exchange on Nov. 9 at 7: fur-ty (7:30) Central time. Whether your chapter has had success with a “Red, White and Brews” event or an advocacy debate, bring your thoughts and ideas as we brainstorm how to bear-gin advocating at the grassroots level. 

Ultimately, this month is about the bear. Sorry, I mean this month is about you. Getting involved in these discussions and building coalitions at the local level are crucial in our pursuit of change.

Tom Peters, acclaimed American writer, stated, “Community organizing is all about building grassroots support. It’s about identifying the people around you with whom you can create a common, passionate cause.” After a year that so quickly separated us from our peers, let’s get back to our (grass) roots.

I’ll leave you with one last joke to kick off our advocacy efforts on a high note: What do you call a toothless bear? A gummy bear, of course!

~Jake Holtzmann, Colorado ’22, ASDA Council on Advocacy Chair

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/getting-prepared-and-bear-y-excited-for-advocacy-month/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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The impact of organized dentistry

Organized dentistry describes the tripartite of dental advocacy though which many different groups work together — at the local, state, and national levels — to improve and advance the dental profession. Dr. Stephanie Sandretti has been involved in all three levels of advocacy and remains an active member in organized dentistry. Before graduating from the UCLA School of Dentistry in 2013, she was fully invested in advocacy efforts through ASDA and the ADA. Since then, Dr. Sandretti has further expanded her scope of involvement, especially in California dental societies, and she continues to demonstrate steadfast dental leadership in these organized advocacy groups.

CONTOUR: What was your path to organized dentistry?

DR. STEPHANIE SANDRETTI: In dental school, I was very involved with the very active UCLA ASDA chapter. During my third year, I was a district 11 ADA delegate — able to attend the ADA House of Delegates, represent ASDA, vote, etc. Being involved at that level as a student sparked my passion for organized dentistry. I was also involved with the Academy of General Dentistry and went to their lobby day events for two years, becoming active with federal legislation.

Eventually I got more involved with the California Dental Association and have been a member of its Government Affairs Council since 2016. In addition, I am a guest of the Sacramento District Dental Society, addressing state lawmakers as a professional witness to educate them and the public about the importance of certain topics relevant to dentists and business owners.

Finish reading about Dr. Sandretti in the October issue of Contour magazine.

~Christine Shoemaker, Washington ’23, Chapter Advocacy Chair

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/the-impact-of-organized-dentistry/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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How to stay organized and HIPAA-compliant in clinic

Starting clinic in dental school is a refreshing change of pace for students. The excitement and anticipation of treating patients also comes with the responsibility of keeping track of everything you do. For many students who are in charge of contacting their own patients to schedule appointments, it is critical to have a system in place so no one is forgotten. A missed appointment here or a rescheduled visit there can easily cause a patient to slip through the cracks if we aren’t aware of all the care we provide.

The nightmare scenario we want to avoid is forgetting to reschedule a patient for an appointment that should have been done ages ago. What are the best methods we can use to keep track of our patient pool — whether or not you read every patient’s chart every day or week — while staying within the bounds of HIPAA policy?

A quick search online will tell you the 18 identifiers that qualify as patient personal identifiers (name, age, etc.), or protected health information. Our student digital electronic health record systems contain every single one of these identifiers (and more) for a patient. While we are logged in securely at school or through a remote server, it is no issue to keep track of patients. However, most of us do not live at school or are not logged into our EHR all the time. Even those who do have easy access to a remote server may prefer other means of staying organized outside of the software solutions provided to us as clinicians. After discussing with my school’s clinical and security HIPAA compliance experts, I learned best practices to stay compliant to HIPAA while attempting to streamline the multitude of patients, appointments, classes and other responsibilities that dental school throws at us.

Keeping track of patients within your institution’s digital records system

This is probably the easiest, most worry-free method of keeping track of your patient obligations. While operating within the EHR, you can use its multiple features such as the patient’s chart and notes, the universal scratchpad, and even messaging to keep lists of patients’ needs, appointments, etc. While operating within the EHR, you are not assuming any additional risk of exposing private information. However, the downside to this method is the limited capabilities of the features discussed; most are simply word processors with no ability for formatting, tables, checklists or dynamic functions. This approach does work, though, if you’re on top of the patient pool and frequently updating treatments and appointments.

Considerations for other methods of organizing your patient pool

For those who may want to create new ways of managing your workflow, the most important step to safeguard your data is to double-check the security of your method with your school’s HIPAA compliance experts, which may include the clinical director and IT experts. Each school handles their patient data in different ways with different degrees of freedoms. For example, the mail and office productivity client our school uses is HIPAA compliant and, therefore, offers additional software options to manage patient records outside of the EHR. Your school may have other viable options for managing data outside of the digital realm as well, and the best way to find out is to ask.

~Harish Balasubramani, Pittsburgh ‘22, ASDA Electronic Editor

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/how-to-stay-organized-and-hipaa-compliant-in-clinic/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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The importance of ASDA policy and submitting resolutions

ASDA policy is a powerful method for communicating between current dentists, dental students and future dental students. It helps define what is important to dental students and the organization, and can be used to form advocacy stances and strategies on the local or national level. Policy also serves as a guide to ensure ASDA’s board acts in accordance with what the student body, or the ASDA House of Delegates, agreed upon. In addition, the ease of access to ASDA’s policy will allow us to look back at the policies when we become dentists and inspire us to continue to aid ASDA, even when we are no longer students.

Broadly speaking, ASDA policy reflects the topics and issues that are important to us as dental students, and we can carry these with us as we move forward in our careers. This year, we have continued to build on the foundation that the ASDA founders laid down in the 1970s.

For example, one of our oldest policies, E-1 Due Process, was created in 1977 to protect dental students in disciplinary proceedings. It encourages dental schools to have due process procedures that allow dental students to have a meaningful defense when charged with misconduct. In spring 2021, we voted on a resolution to expand the policy because when dental students face disciplinary charges, students risk losing their position in dental school, their potential future income, their time spent pursuing dentistry and the student debt they have accumulated in the process.  Where the stakes are high, so, too, should be the burden of proof. Therefore, the due process policy was changed to encourage schools seeking to discipline a student to use “clear and convincing” evidence, as opposed to the “preponderance of the evidence” standard that only requires 51% certainty that a student committed a wrongful act. It is policies such as this that help protect our interests and show where we stand on certain issues.

What is a resolution?

A resolution is the primary method to change current ASDA policy or adopt new policy. Resolutions are presented at Annual Session to be discussed and voted on by the ASDA House of Delegates, which is the “supreme legislative body of the association and is responsible for electing officers and determining policies, initiatives and directives.” The house is comprised of dental students appointed by their chapters.

Submitting a resolution is also a way to raise awareness on an issue that could lead to change, even if it is not adopted into ASDA policy. While there are no technical restrictions on what you submit, your resolution should relate to dental student issues within ASDA’s mission statement.

To increase the probability of your resolution making its way to the voting floor, make sure you thoroughly research your issue so it is well-drafted and supported. You can find a template on ASDA’s website as well as resolutions that have succeeded in the past.

After submission of your resolution, be willing to adjust as recommended by the board. Lastly, be available to defend your resolution at Annual Session, so you can address any questions or concerns the delegates may have.

If you want ASDA to consider taking a position on a certain issue or simply see a change that needs to happen, submit a resolution. All of ASDA’s voting members will be required to read your resolution, and your message will be heard. Ultimately, ASDA policy is powerful because it is the unified voice of dental students. By simply submitting a resolution, you help create the change you wish to see.

Our world is one of increments. Submit a resolution and move our world one inch closer to what you would like it to be.

~Michael Rosales, Roseman ‘22

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/the-importance-of-asda-policy-and-submitting-resolutions/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Student guide to networking

Entering my first ASDA conference as a first-year dental student in 2019, I was anxious about meeting new people and making great first impressions. I relied on 2019–2020 ASDA Vice President Brandon Rensch to guide me through my first networking experience. At a dental conference, Rensch says everyone is in the same awkward situation of not knowing anyone around them. Fortunately, everyone automatically has much in common — we’re all dental students. He suggested asking easy questions like what school they go to and build off that.

The conference ended up being a blast and was a great opportunity to meet other dental students around the nation with similar interests. It can be scary to put yourself out there and meet other people, but hopefully this article can help you make connections.

9 networking tips

According to the 2014 issue of Science of People, networking enables you to exchange information, meet new professional contacts, and build mutually beneficial relationships. Like anything in life, networking takes practice to develop a skill set, but it is something anyone can learn to do. While there are many ways to network, here are nine tips to help you successfully network.

Read all nine tips in the October 2021 issue of Contour magazine.

~Saif Shah, Creighton ’22

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/student-guide-to-networking/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Licensure compacts: A way to increase licensure portability

Where do you see yourself living in five years? How about 10 or 20 years?

As a dentist, the answer to this question could be impacted by your ability to get licensed.

If you choose to move to a different licensing jurisdiction from the one in which you were initially licensed, you will need to apply for a new license. Many states do have a licensure-by-credentials process by which currently licensed professionals can apply for a new license. Although many states have a similar list of core requirements that must be met, there are nuances, and the process can be lengthy and expensive.

Why does this matter to you?

Unless you have the next 30-40 years of your professional and personal life planned out, you may end up moving and be required to get a new license in a different jurisdiction in order to keep practicing.

We live in an increasingly mobile society. According to the ADA’s Health Policy Institute, about one in 13 dentists moved to a different state between 2015 and 2020. Among dentists aged 40 or younger, about one in six migrated across state lines during the same period. Dentists who are civilian spouses of those serving in the military move frequently and may be forced to pursue and maintain multiple licenses, which can put undue stress on the support system of our military. Academia is a highly mobile profession and, often, dentist faculty cross state lines to pursue employment. Sometimes, volunteer efforts can be restricted based on the ability of dental professionals to get licensure by credentials.

A new opportunity

The U.S. Department of Defense is providing funding to the Council of State Governments (CSG) to assist professionals in the development of new interstate compacts for occupational licensure portability.  Because the ADA’s Comprehensive Policy on Dental Licensure calls for state dental boards to consider participating in licensure compacts and establishing a common core of credentials for granting licensure,  the ADA’s Council on Dental Education and Licensure submitted an application for assistance from CSG. This application was supported by many dental communities of interest, including ASDA, American Dental Education Association, American Dental Hygienists’ Association, the Coalition for Modernizing Dental Licensure, Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations and the Association of Dental Support Organizations.

We are proud to announce that the Department of Defense selected the professions of dentistry and dental hygiene to receive technical assistance from CSG to develop model interstate compact legislation. CSG hosted a webinar in August 2021 that provided a more in-depth discussion of compacts and an overview of the development process, which will take place over the next few years. Click here to watch the recording.

Looking forward

Back to the question — where do you see yourself in five, 10, 20 years? Although professional mobility may not be your priority right now, consider the positive impact a licensure compact could have on your career over the next few decades. I encourage you to stay involved in organized dentistry and get involved in licensure reform. It’s your future!

Dr. Jacqueline Plemons is the chair of the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure and past president of the Texas Dental Association. A graduate of the Baylor College of Dentistry, she completed a periodontal residency earning a Master of Science in oral biology and a certificate in periodontics. Dr. Plemons also has completed a fellowship in oral medicine. 

This blog post was sponsored by the American Dental Association.

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/licensure-compacts-a-way-to-increase-licensure-portability/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Compassion: The upholding pillar of a dental practice

Entering official clinical practice and starting to care for patients presents a whole new set of challenges. The level of stress can be overwhelming for students, faculty and patients alike. Students are concerned about their requirements to successfully graduate. Faculty are engulfed in academic and curriculum responsibilities. Patients are often concerned about finances, the anxiety-triggering dental procedures and much more. In such straining circumstances, it is easy to abandon each other and to only focus on your own needs instead. In the midst of our own concerns, we cannot forget to be selfless — compassion is the main upholding pillar of an excellent dental practice. 

During the behavioral dentistry course at University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Dr. Isabel Rambob often stressed the importance of one’s well-being in regard to showing compassion. She explained that when on a flight, the cabin crew advises passengers to, in the case of an emergency, place their own oxygen mask on first before helping others. Similarly, a dental provider cannot efficiently serve others if they don’t take care of themselves. That is why it is crucial to address your health needs while working in clinic.

Several dental students miss their lunch because they have to go from one clinical session to another. However, they should make sure to at least have a small snack and some water to recharge and be able to competently perform procedures. To balance the difficulties and challenges of daily life, it is important to have a hobby that is enjoyable. Whether it is talking to friends or listening to music, all such activities are an essential part of one’s well-being. 

Although it is easy to speak on the ideals of compassion and well-being, it can be rather difficult to effectively and genuinely put them into practice. It is helpful to constantly remind ourselves what really matters in the long-run and to continuously challenge ourselves to do what is best for yourself and others. 

As Mary Davis beautifully stated: “We can’t heal the world today, but we can begin with a voice of compassion, a heart of love, an act of kindness.” 

~Ashraf Oreizi, Maryland ‘23

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/compassion-the-upholding-pillar-of-a-dental-practice/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Every gesture helps: Discussing mental health with patients

Eaten up with guilt, shame and fear, I’ll never forget the young teenaged patient who nervously answered “yes” when, while filling out her medical history, I asked if she had any eating disorders. I had been nervously anticipating the day I’d encounter a patient who would respond affirmatively to this question because I’d been in her situation before. 

I paused for a second, debating whether I should disclose to her that I struggled with several bouts of anorexia, bulimia and laxative abuse before asking her for more details. I had gone through that ordeal on my own, not having any support from family or friends. I knew that if one person had reached out to me in my time of need, I could have saved myself from the grief of relapses, damage to my teeth and the countless hours of crying alone in my room, feeling a loneliness that physically overwhelmed me. 

When it comes to talking about mental health, there’s always an amount of uncertainty about how to broach the subject, whether it be with patients, colleagues or even family. When going through health history, few mental health issues make themselves known until there’s a tangible physical side effect from that mental illness. Alcohol abuse, tobacco smoking, drug abuse, eating disorders — these are just a few of the physically visible mental illnesses we are required to document in Axium, and there’s always a pause before anyone discusses these health conditions. What about anxiety? What do you say to the patient who presents with exaggerated linea alba or morsicatio buccarum and a sore TMJ every morning? Is that a subject to be broached with them, or are you being too presumptive and overstepping as the dentist? 

There is too much hesitancy when it comes to discussing mental wellness within the medical field. As the saying goes, you cannot pour from an empty glass. It’s so important for us as providers to look after ourselves before taking care of others. For me, I am always nervous to bring it up because it feels like I’m being too needy and selfish, but I think it would be game changing if professors were just more open in the small moments to offer some sympathy or encouragement. One of my patients walked out on me after I explained to him I could only extract two of the three teeth he wanted out because the other was out of my expertise. I was frazzled, and my anxiety was through the roof as I presented to the faculty, but hearing the amazing Dr. A. Patel say, “I’m sorry that happened to you,” did a lot to calm me down and reassure me that I did nothing wrong. 

“Hey girl, I’m so sorry you’re going through this,” I whispered to my patient as she deliberated how much to tell me about her eating disorder. “I’m here if you want to talk about it.” I watched her eyes well up with tears as she explained her history of bulimia to me. All it took was for me to be open to her, and when I later confided my own history of purging to her, I swear she looked less lonely. 

It’s these little moments that truly have the biggest impact on our mental health. Whether it’s offering a few words of encouragement, some empathy or just being willing to hear out someone’s grievances, a small action could be the catalyst to someone’s mental state improving. 

~Unnati Soni, Temple ‘23, ASDA District 3 Advocacy Committee Co-Chair

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/every-gesture-helps-discussing-mental-health-with-patients/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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Artificial Intelligence and Teledentistry: Breaking Barriers to Dental Care

When it comes to oral care, there have always been a number of areas and communities in the United States that don’t get the access to care that they deserve. Now, add in the pandemic to this equation. Things only got worse!

One survey report published last year under the title ‘Oral Health in Rural Communities’ states that nearly 60% of America’s dental health professional shortage areas are in the rural landscapes of the country. 

This clearly points out that access to dental care is still a challenge there.

In order to prevent adverse risks from developing right at the beginning of the disease life cycle and to promote systemic oral healthcare, the underlying barriers must be addressed in an effective manner first. 

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Teledentistry are two innovations that can greatly help oral care providers in ameliorating outcomes and improving access to care as a whole. To know how, read on.

1) Giving Individuals a First Look into their Oral Health Status

Oral wellbeing is one of the key measures of how healthy a person is. Research continues to show the impact of oral health on the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, chronic oral pain, etc. Therefore, seeking good quality oral care continues to be critical to good overall health.

Factors such as poor access to dental care providers or having to travel long distances just to be able to see one should definitely not be getting in the way of seeking dental care. So then, what measures can oral health professionals implement to improve accessibility in remote regions?  

It’s pretty straightforward: give patients the ability to track their initial oral health status by themselves, under proper guidance of course. 

Artificial Intelligence and teledentistry can be of great help here.

Progressive AI-based solutions have surfaced on the healthcare front in the form of ‘self-monitoring’ mobile applications. Also, telehealth integration is advancing oral care in affordable, effective and highly efficient ways to overcome problems related to care access. 

An AI-enabled mobile app that embeds telemedicine can assist patients at a distance through self-monitoring by creating what’s called an ‘oral health rating’ which can then be shared with the concerned oral care provider.

A patient can, for instance, take pictures of their gums or teeth, and upload those directly on the app. These images are then scanned and examined by the app’s AI program for gum disease or any form of dental decay. The AI program furnishes ratings of that particular patient’s oral health accordingly, further allowing patients to take a first look at their overall oral health. 

Such integrated software solutions can also enable early detection of oral disparities in patients, so that dentists can start treating such individuals right away with less invasive methods. 

These two tech solutions, when combined, give dental care providers the ability to increase both case acceptance and oral health awareness at the highest level. Also, such software solutions can greatly improve patient experience and communication by manifolds.

2) Mitigating the Costs of Care for Providers and Patients alike

Telemedicine and AI can aid oral care providers get past the iron triangle of healthcare (triple constraints on Quality, Access and Cost) and deliver effective treatment plans in a way that appeals to their patients and makes the care delivery experience a seamless one for them. 

For example, when used in conjunction with a teledentistry platform, AI-triage consultations and medications can help expand providers’ access to patients residing in rural areas, that too at an affordable cost and with quality similar to that of an in-person visit to the dentist’s office.  

The data accumulated through such virtual consultations can easily be stored on the facility’s cloud server and accessed remotely at a later time by authorized individuals. Similarly, patients’ electronic health records (EHR) can also be integrated with the teledentistry platform to check their medical history and suggest better treatment options. This boosts data interoperability and speeds up the entire care delivery process.

This results in a win-win situation for both patients as well as their oral care providers!

Patients don’t have to kill time in waiting areas of a dental facility or travel long distances unless there is an emergency. 

On the other hand, oral care providers can furnish topnotch care experiences right from the comfort of their own homes or from a remote location of their choice. This can not only reduce feelings of burnout among them, but also increase professional satisfaction.

Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that the adoption of AI-enabled tech and telehealth in dentistry can considerably mitigate added expenses for dentists and patients alike. 

3) Helping Make the Shift to Value-Based Care a Seamless One

As dental care providers, we all know that those with the least access to dental treatment and preventive services have a greater likelihood of developing oral diseases such as tooth decay, gum disease and even oral cancer in the worst cases. 

Bringing high-quality preventive oral care to the populations in need of it can make seeking help more convenient for patients. This further enhances patient experience and improves outcomes at a macro scale. Value-based care must integrate oral health to improve patients’ total health.

AI-enabled systems can make sense of the vast troves of data available for dental care providers and help them harness it in a better way to enhance outcomes among patient populations exhibiting similar symptoms. 

This is especially true since a sophisticated, data-enriched environment allows better clinical decision-making, streamlining the industry’s transition toward a value-based and patient-centric model of care delivery.

Also, such initiatives act as gateways for care providers to furnish better access to preventive care, enable closer integration of infrastructure, enhance patient education and enable risk stratification improvements to target interventions.

What the Future Holds

All in all, addressing barriers of access to care primarily lies within two realms: patients’ ability to access oral health care associated with socioeconomic factors, and the persisting shortage of dental care providers across the nation.Artificial intelligence and teledentistry definitely hold the potential to help the oral health fraternity address both these challenges heads on!

from Dental https://thedentalgeek.com/2021/09/artificial-intelligence-and-teledentistry-breaking-barriers-to-dental-care/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/national-patient-safety-day-and-increasing-awareness-about-dental-quacking/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/starting-a-writing-club-during-the-pandemic/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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

A special issue of Dental Practice Success offers Financial Foundations for the New Dentist to support navigating the financial journey from dental school to career.

Plan Your Financial Journey includes experts from across the ADA’s financial partners offering tips for navigating debt and early career financial concerns. It’s free, and you can earn one CE credit.

ADA.org/Money is the new home to resources and materials to support dental students and early career dentists in finding answers to financial questions and concerns.

Read the New Dentist Now blog for peer-to-peer advice for managing student debt.

Physical wellness

Get moving with Class Pass, a new program that provides free on-demand fitness classes and workouts as well as discounted passes to gyms and in-person classes. Visit ADA.org/ClassPass and enter code ADA2021.

Read tips and tricks for managing PPE, and view this webinar to learn some workarounds for managing discomfort.

Mental wellness

Watch “Resilience in the Face of Uncertainty,” by best-selling author, MTV star and mental health advocate Ben Nemtin. This free, on-demand webinar will advise how you can increase your wellbeing in times of stress, anxiety and burnout.

Watch and share this short video that reminds us to take care of ourselves so we can take care of others. Top it off with a supported breathing exercise to help you take a breather from life’s chatter.

Learn how to recognize when a colleague is struggling and identify ways to be supportive through the webinar Mental Health, Dentistry & You, from the ADA and NAMI Chicago, available for free to ASDA/ADA student members.

Check out ADA.org/wellness for additional resources, and be well!

This blog post was sponsored by the American Dental Association.

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/achieve-better-overall-wellness/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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.

Teledentistry

The 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 Injections

Pain-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 Impressions

Conventional 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 Technology

CAD/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 Takeaway

This 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.

from Dental https://thedentalgeek.com/2021/09/new-dental-technologies-you-can-use-now-to-transform-smiles/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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:

10-minute meditations

Yoga with Adriene

Nature relaxing music

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

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/the-art-of-multitasking/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/bridging-the-gap-between-health-care-disparities/ via http://www.rssmix.com/

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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.

It saves the time of multiple up-down because they shift all the packages at once. 

After that, it will be beneficial to relocate all the stuff easily without any worries.

They suggest transit insurance that covers further damages and theft. 

Even you don’t need to worry about any kind of packaging and delivering them all at the right location. 

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?

How much do you have experience in the logistics business?

What is the quality of the packaging products?

Do you think the delivery is on time?

What about the GST billing system?

Do you provide an accurate GPS tracker?

What will be the budget according to the distance and the weight?

Conclusion

According 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. 

from Dental https://www.asdablog.com/why-packers-and-movers-in-ghaziabad-are-necessary/ via http://www.rssmix.com/