Dental Insurance: Good Idea Gone Bad?

By: Mark T. Murphy, DDS, FAGD With apologies to President Abraham Lincoln. “Three score and two years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new concept called dental insurance, conceived from the medical model, and dedicated to the proposition that all should have access to quality dental care” …oops! Dental “insurance”, once intended…

The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Dentistry

By: Heather Voss, CDT Not happy with your smile? Are there a few things that you would like to change that make you feel self-conscious about smiling?  Gaps in your teeth, stained teeth, crooked or badly shaped teeth? Veneers, for example, are a great option for many dental patients. Custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials are…

Three Ways to Incorporate Group Learning in 2017

By. Courtney Lavigne, DMD, FAGD In the age of technology we are increasingly a population of text-driven, email-laden, computer-savvy persons. Dentists are getting their continuing education online. A simple “YouTube” search can land you visual instructions on how to conduct a new procedure in private practice. We’re scanning and milling more than impressing and pressing. What…

Shade Taking

By. William R. Mrazek B.Sc., CDT The following information is designed to educate the technician, dentist, and dental assistant in the accuracy, predictability, and efficiency of the VITA 3D-Master Shade system.  I have included a list of recommendations for shade taking technique to help reduce the variables and increase the accuracy and predictability of the shade…

Use of the CDT codes In Your Dental Practice

Use of the CDT codes In Your Dental Practice By Dennis Lanier, CDT The codes that I am talking about are the Current Dental Terminology codes that dental practices use to document their services and lead to faster reimbursement from insurance companies. It is also important to use the most current CDT/CPT/ICD-10-CM code combinations, when…

Who Makes Your Crown?

Who Makes Your Crown? By Bennett Napier, CAE Over a hundred years ago, it was not uncommon to find a dentist in a barber shop. Over the course of time, processes, training and technology have vastly improved the delivery of dental services. During the evolution of dentistry, allied specialists emerged to perform certain functions, i.e.…

Materials Accountability Standards Matter

Materials Accountability Standards Matter By: Eric Thorn, Esq. Many clearly recognize the importance of requiring dental laboratories to disclose to the dentist the point-of-origin and the material content of materials used in dental restorations as the accuracy of this information is essential to protect the patient safety. What many don’t recognize is that most states…