News + Issues

Use social media to get social

social mediaSocial media may be one of the quickest and easiest ways to reach an audience. Although word of mouth is one of the best forms of marketing, a social media presence can bring a boost to your private practice. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are our generation’s chosen platforms for advertising. There are many ways to use social media to our advantage once we get out of dental school and into the real world.

Management + Leadership

Schmooze your way to success

schmoozingI’m determined to bring back “schmooze.” It’s more than small talk. It’s social networking at its finest. It’s the smooth type of conversation you don’t know you’re having, but still manages to land politicians in office and CEOs in the boardroom hot seat. My father would even describe this conversational tango as an art form. Learning to develop a natural conversation flow is critical in a profession as social and connected as ours. Everyone has intentions when entering a conversation, but it’s how they are pursued that dictates your networking success.

Predental

My experience in a rural Indian dental school

friendsI grew up in a small town in India. Participating in various health care camps in under-served neighborhoods helped me realize the importance of access to care and how it can affect people’s health. Serving rural communities for three years in dental school helped me make a difference in so many lives. I would love to do it for the rest of my life.

News + Issues

The basics of braces

girl with bracesTrain tracks, metal mouth, brace face: all creative nicknames for orthodontic treatment. Today more than ever, patients are trying to avoid that metal look by requesting something more aesthetic such as lingual braces or clear plastic aligners. To develop appropriate treatment plans and inform patients about the basics of braces, dentists should be aware of the patient’s aesthetic concern but also consider the indications and limitations of each method of treatment.

It’s important that dental students have a basic knowledge of the various forms of orthodontic treatment. Even if you are not interested in specializing in orthodontics, this information is necessary to answer basic questions in a general practice setting.

News + Issues

Tips for writing an effective medical consult

medication RXAtenolol, Prozac, Coumadin, Fosamax, Omeprazole, Lisinopril. We all have a patient with a long list of medications that, at a glance, resemble alphabet soup. Often, these are the same patients who are battling complex medical conditions and are being seen by multiple physicians. Obtaining a comprehensive medical history is crucial. I am always glad when my patient comes prepared with a detailed log of their past surgeries and medical diagnoses. Other patients are less certain about their history. Some patients report they are “taking a bunch of pills that [so and so] organizes for me every week” (obviously an unclear picture of their current medications).