Clinical

Dennis M. Abbott, DDS, is the founder and CEO of Dental Oncology Professionals of North Texas, an oral medicine practice dedicated to meeting the unique dental and oral health needs of patients battling cancer. In addition to private practice, he is a member of the dental oncology medical staff at Baylor Charles A. Sammons Cancer Center and Baylor University Medical Center in Dallas. Dr. Abbott is a nationally recognized leader in oral health care associated with cancer care. He regularly publishes articles on the subjects of dental oncology and oral medicine and presents lectures to professionals and patients throughout the North America.

Articles

 April is Oral and Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Month, a time to pause to consider the ravages of this disease and rededicate our efforts as oral health care providers to do our part to find oral and oropharyngeal cancers at an early stage.

The top 5 reasons to really think about oral cancer

Patti DiGangi, RDH, BS, believes dentistry is no longer just about fixing teeth. Dentistry is oral medÂ­icine. Her work helps dental professionals embrace the opportunities and understand the metrics that accurate insurance coding provides. The ADA recognized her expertise by inviting her to write a chapter in its CDT 2017 Companion book and again for its CDT 2018 Companion. She is the author of the DentalCodeology series of easy-to-read, bite-size books. Her latest book, "Teledentistry: Pathway to Pathology" was co-written with Cindy Purdy, RDH, BS. She can be reached at patti@dentalcodeology.com.

 Dental hygienists are arguably an officious bunch. They love their rules; they trot them out like prize ponies, showing everyone that they know the score and were taught well. But U.S. dental hygienists have a secret. They are thugs, and they don’t even know it.

Breaking the law, dental hygiene style

 The absence of recommended toothbrushes and dental supplies in the marketplace can lead to frustration for patients.

A size 35 soft toothbrush: Missing in action (Part 2)

Dayna Johnson has helped dental offices from around the country easily transition down the path to paperless using her years of experience as a dental office manager and Certified Dentrix Trainer. As one of the country's most trusted consultants, she gives a straightforward and complete assessment for each of her clients. No two dental offices are alike, and Dayna channels her passion for going chartless to help each of her clients fulfill their goals and increase their profitability. For more information, visit www.raedentalmanagement.com or her blog at thedentrixofficemanager.blogspot.com.

What Would Dayna Do ... about the proper coding and billing for an oral cancer screening in the dental practice?

 A Wisconsin dental practice participates in an oral care product recycling program designed to keep toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes, floss containers and mouthwash containers out of landfills.

Innovative dental recycling program keeps oral care products out of landfills

 Over the past 30 years, I have often been thwarted in my attempts to locate a size 35 soft toothbrush in a grocery or drug store, so I can imagine the frustration patients feel trying to follow my home care recommendations at home. 

A size 35 soft toothbrush: Missing in action (Part 1)

Laura Dorr is the former executive editor of DPR's Modern Dental Network and a regular contributing author.

 Everyone knows that children need moderation in their lives. Giving a child too much sugar will undoubtedly result in a headache for parents. Exposing that child to excessive radiation? That can also only end poorly.

Why responsible pediatric dental radiology is a must

 Recent research published in the journal Microbiome found that as many as 80 million bacteria are transferred during at 10-second French kiss. The study also found that people who kiss each other nine times a day or more share similar oral bacteria.

Recent study finds French kisses swap more than spit

A recent study published by researchers in Japan found that elderly patients who wear dentures while they sleep have a higher risk of developing pneumonia than those who remove them.

Sleeping in Dentures Can Pose Major Health Hazards

 Warning: some football references are found sprinkled in this read! I will not bore you with play analogies for our profession or chant with a “there is no I in team” commentary. My intention is to provoke thought as you begin 2015. 

Oral Care