Management + Leadership

How to introduce yourself to a speaker

Screen Shot 2014-08-25 at 9.11.12 AMIn this month’s Mingle Monday we’re building off of Friday’s suggestion to attend ASDA’s National Leadership Conference. Whether you’re at an ASDA meeting or a CE session or a networking event, you’ll probably run into a situation where you’d like to meet the person who just spoke at an event. It can be intimidating to introduce yourself to a speaker, but the benefits make it more than worthwhile. I made this video while working as an extern in ASDA’s national office this summer. These tips have helped me gain valuable contacts and enhance my network–I hope they help you too.

News + Issues

Bridging the gap: a prep-less concept

LWW thumbAs we enter clinic, it’s not uncommon that providers see patients with missing anterior teeth. Congenitally missing lateral incisors have been reported in a significant percent of the population. For those who have already studied for part 1 of NBDE, we remember that dental decks flash card that states the lateral incisor is actually the third most commonly congenitally missing tooth, behind the third molars and mandibular second premolars. To bridge the gap I, for one, would not opt to do a PFM bridge, reducing anywhere from 0.5-2mm of tooth structure from virgin adjacent teeth. However an implant, which would be the alternative to a bridge, can easily cost upwards of $5,000 each. The other option of a flipper or stayplate may be available for some, but the removable prosthesis makes it less appealing than a fixed option. Keep reading this Lab Work Wednesday!

Management + Leadership

Taking a team approach to oral health

483915271“When was the last time you visited the dentist?” “Do you floss regularly?” These two questions are an essential part of my dental history repertoire that I ask all my patients. However, this time I was not the one asking the questions, I was the one answering the questions. Earlier last year I switched my primary care physician (PCP) and was inspired by her interest in my oral health. As a dentist we often find ourselves contacting physicians for medical clearance for our medically compromised patients. We often forget that physicians and other non-dental healthcare providers can also play a vital role in promoting oral health.

News + Issues

Pampering your prophylaxis

dental-spaThe ambient lighting, the gentle trickling water from the tabletop Zen garden, the intermittent buzzing of a high-speed hand piece in the background, these sounds are becoming increasingly intermingled with the emergence of dental spas across the country. When dental anxiety is one of the leading drivers for patients avoiding essential dental care, the addition of a “spa-like” treatment may help patients feel more at home. A dental spa is exactly what you think it would be – a dental facility under a licensed Oral Health Care provider that offers spa services in addition to providing dental care.

Science + Tech

Ghrelin’s effects on periodontal health in diabetics

After spending many nights and weekends in the dental lab preparing casts, fabricating custom trays, and setting denture teeth for my patients, I decided to spend a year in a different kind of lab—Dr. Toshi Kawai’s immunology lab at the Forsyth Institute in Cambridge, Massachusetts. My decision came after my research experience in Dr. Kawai’s lab during the summer after my first year in dental school. I first met with Dr. Kawai because of my interest in the link between oral and systemic health, specifically diabetes-associated periodontal disease. I took on a project to study ghrelin, a protein found in lower levels in diabetic patients. My work that summer helped demonstrate that ghrelin exhibits anti-microbial properties by protecting other anti-microbial peptides from degradation.

Science + Tech

Uncovering the truth behind ancient dental implants

celtic grave and pinOne of my favorite courses at UT Houston was the study of implantology. I had originally though implants to be new technology relying on sophisticated materials and techniques. In fact, the practice of replacing teeth was actually attempted as early as 400 B.C.! Civilizations in Egypt, South America and China are now known to have used materials such as stone, ivory, wood, seashells, animal and cadaver teeth, and gold to fill the holes in their mouths. I don’t know about you, but placing a sharp piece of anything into my jaw bone sounds less than desirable. Yet, all over the world archeologists are finding examples of humans practicing ancient dentistry.

Predental

A smile is the same in any language

IMG_4153 This past spring break, I had the incredible opportunity to travel to Panama through International Service Learning with seven other members of Baylor University’s predental organization and one pre-optometry student from Ohio State. I’d argue with anyone that this was leaps and bounds better than your typical college spring break on the beaches of Florida or Cancun. If you have the chance to do a service trip during college, GO. Serve. Love. Learn.