Texting patients: does it violate HIPAA?

In the midst of busy day where there’s no time to chat, sending a text message to communicate is a quick, convenient option we often use to keep our messages brief and to the point. But, how many people actually prefer texting over talking on the phone? According to a 2011 report by the Pew Research Center, approximately 83% of Americans own cell phones and of these, 73% use the text messaging function. Additionally, a 2016 survey conducted by OpenMarket found that 75% of millennials “chose texting over talking,” often citing the convenience of communicating on their own schedule. As students, we often text our family, friends and classmates to coordinate our daily lives, but many of us may also text our patients to confirm appointments and address questions. While texting might seem to be a convenient way to contact patients, it’s important to remember that this action raises many important implications for patient privacy.

Typography in the dental office

typographyTimes New Roman. Helvetica. Comic Sans. Most of us are familiar with these fonts due to their prolific use in media we see daily. But, have you ever stopped to consider how font choice, size and style can impact your choices, especially in the context of a dental office?

Typography is defined as the style, arrangement or appearance of printed letters on a page. However, it encompasses more than just being able to change the color of letters or bolding important words. Read more about how typography applies to dentistry in today’s post!

Try Snapchat to “snap up” patients

snapchatAs millennials, many of us are quite familiar with the app Snapchat. Whether we’re face-swapping with our dogs, or using it as a great way to embarrass that classmate who fell asleep in class again, the growing popularity of this mobile appl has enabled us to connect effortlessly with our friends, family and even some celebrities. But could Snapchat also be a powerful, untapped marketing tool for health care professionals?

In a market that is moving towards increased commoditization of professional services, dentists must make a difficult choice: sell “affordability” by cutting fees or sell the experience that your practice offers. We want patients to focus less on purely seeking the lowest fees and focus more on the unique traits that make each provider different because we understand that patient needs can vary greatly. So how can we stand out?

5 video accessories less than $100

Videos are still on the rise among chapters. YouTube channels are exploding with chapter and district videos and you better believe that people are watching them. From my experience, the difference between a high quality video and one that your chapter would rather not post can be as easy as having the right accessories to help you film. Below are five video accessories that you can find for under $100 that may help you take your videos up to the next level.

Fantasy football as a dental-school outlet

footballThe life of a dental student is definitely a challenging one to say the least. It is a juggling act that you perfect year-to-year as you encounter new challenges along the way. As a first year dental student, you are in a state of shock as you try to keep up with a new and demanding routine. As a second year dental student, you have new challenges as preclinical work gets heavier, you begin treating patients, and you prepare for part I of the National Board Exam. As a third year dental student, you still have difficulty but a completely new set of challenges as patient care becomes your primary focus. Then finally, as a fourth year dental student, it all comes to a close. You hope you have enough requirements to graduate on time and prepare to complete your final Board and licensing exams. Interestingly enough, I have learned that there is one thing that brings many dental students together regardless of year classification and that, of all things, is fantasy football.

WesternU anatomy lab goes virtual

First year dental students at Western University of Health Sciences College of Dental Medicine (CDM) will now have the opportunity to experience gross anatomy lab in a whole new way – through virtual technology. At the newly created J and K Virtual Reality Learning Center (VRLC), CDM students will be able to dissect the human body through four virtual modalities.