Browse by City / State:

Dentists Journal

ADA and others recommend to establish a Dental Home for your child

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the American Dental Association (ADA), and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), recommend to establish a “Dental Home” for your child by around one year of age. Children who have a dental home at younger ages are more likely to receive appropriate preventive and routine oral health care, as well they are more likely to avoid future dental issues and disease. They also learn early to love the dentist and are less apt to have fear and phobias with coming to see us.

The key…EDUCATION! At our NoPo Dental office we know how hard being a parent can be and that teeth and oral hygiene are not always your top focus in the early years. As a pediatric dentist and a mother of two, Doctor Staci and her team are full of tips and tricks to get you dental savvy and to help your child become more cooperative and compliant for oral hygiene routines. We will review daily recommendations with a strong focus on diet, as well as helpful positioning to brush and floss and clever strategies to make all of it fun while you do it!

Parents are allowed to stay with their child at our NoPo Kids Dentistry office for routine cleanings, check-ups and treatment, and whether it is their very first dental visit, or their twentieth, the team at NoPo Kids Dentistry strive daily to create the most positive, loving, upbeat, and motivating appointment for you and your child.

(07/17/2020)
by Doctor Staci

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/mbd-newest-approved-dentists/AnastaciaMWhitman

What are common personality traits that many dentists share?

Dentistry is an unusual profession because while dentists are mostly focused on patient care, they also often own and run their own businesses. Many dentists have a diverse set of personality traits that allow them to work both closely with patients and be successful managers of their practices.

A successful dentist is…

Comfortable with close personal interaction. If you think about it, much of a dentist’s time is spent with his or her face and hands extremely close to patients’ faces. Successful dentists are comfortable with being very close to other people, even if sometimes patients have bad breath.

Easy to talk to. Successful dentists try to learn about patients on a more personal level before beginning treatment to make patients feel more comfortable. This puts patients at ease and makes them feel like the dentist truly cares about them as whole healthy people, not just about their mouths.

Trustworthy. Since dentists are working with sharp metal objects in the mouth, a very sensitive area of the body, it is really important that they are trustworthy. Patients need to trust that their dentist will try his or her best not to hurt them and will take all precautions necessary to make their experience pain free.

A detail-oriented person. The mouth is an extremely small space to work in, so dentists must be detail oriented. The smallest misalignment of something in the mouth can wreak havoc on a patient’s bite and tooth health.

Artistic. Dentistry is often referred to as an art. It requires mastery and technique unique to the profession. Dentistry is largely based on maintaining proper oral health, but is also an aesthetically focused practice. A large part of dentistry involves restoring teeth and making a smile beautiful, one that the patient is happy to show to others.

A leader. Dentists may own or work as practitioners within a practice, so they often are natural leaders. They must not only lead a team of dental hygienists, technicians and assistants, but must also manage any other employees, such as the receptionist, while also making high-level business decisions for the practice.

Excited about the profession of dentistry. Successful dentists enjoy the work they do every day and are fascinated by the mouth and all of the connections it has to the rest of the body.

Passionate about providing care to those in need. Dentists often participate in community service, helping those in need with oral care and treatment. Many dentists enjoy helping those with no access to care receive treatments for painful or unattractive parts of their mouths.

Caring and concerned about how the patient feels during procedures.Because dentists work in a very small and sensitive space of the body, a good dentist communicates with the patient during every step of a procedure, making sure they are okay and not in too much pain. Good dentists go to great lengths to make their patients comfortable and relaxed without pain.

Good communicator. A successful dentist has a keen ability to distill complex procedures and processes into simple language so that the patient can understand exactly what is going on in his or her mouth and any procedures that the dentist suggests.

(07/19/2020)
by ADEA

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/resources/AmericanDentalEducationAssociati

Toothpaste matters: The evidence for stannous fluoride

Amber Auger, MPH, RDH, expounds upon the benefits of stannous fluoride toothpaste and its use in patient home care.

I have never practiced a day without being asked, “What toothpaste should I use?” Patients are constantly overwhelmed by the toothpaste aisle and the products that seem to promise all the same benefits, but with better results than the toothpaste sitting next to it.

A patient’s goals typically include whiter teeth, a healthier smile, and fresh breath. As dental professionals, we must understand the science behind the active ingredients and the challenges of home care and patient compliance that will lead to better health outcomes. Reducing inflammation and bleeding in the mouth will not only benefit the oral health of the patient but also reduce the inflammatory load.

The secret weapon against gingivitis

Daily removal of biofilm is essential in the reduction of gingivitis. We know that our patients don’t brush long enough, often miss areas, and struggle to clean interdentally. This leads to inflammation that is directly induced by the microbial biofilm.

We also know that subgingival bacteria thrive in an anaerobic environment and produce bacterial virulence factors (i.e., toxins).1 The byproducts of these toxins trigger an immune inflammatory response that causes further breakdown of periodontal components.

To prevent the negative systemic effects of chronic inflammation, it is essential to prevent the formation and progression of gingivitis. Interdental aids and proper brushing are foundational in the elimination of these destructive biofilms. For the biomass left behind, a toothpaste intervention should be implemented to help restore symbiosis.

According to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology, patients who implement a home care regimen that includes a highly bioavailable stannous fluoride demonstrate a 51% reduction in bleeding when combined with mechanical plaque control above using a sodium fluoride or sodium monofluorophosphate product. Let’s look further into what this means.

The value of meta-analysis

A meta-analysis is a statistical procedure for combining data from multiple independent studies. The meta-analysis review is a Image courtesy of P&Gquantitative, formal, epidemiological study that is designed to systematically assess previously published studies. Because scientific research is carried out in a variety of settings by different individuals over time, reviewing many studies together provides a better picture of what is actually happening.

Meta-analysis plays an essential role in evidence-based medicine and is conducted to assess the strength of evidence present on diseases and treatments.

The challenges of home care

I ask each of my patients what they are doing for their home-care regimen. If this is my first time with a patient, they are often surprised by the question. They must think about what product is on their bathroom countertop. I often play detective, asking them about the label and the texture of the paste to determine what it is that they are using. In fact, sometimes I can narrow it down by visual clues their mouths are giving me. Often, in my opinion, if a sensitivity toothpaste is used, there tends to be a greater amount of calculus present.

Most patients can’t differentiate between toothpaste types and often underestimate the potential efficacy of ingredients. For example, most patients don’t know there are different types of fluorides in toothpaste, such as stannous fluoride, sodium fluoride, and sodium monofluorophosphate.

One of the easiest things to adapt into the patient’s home-care regimen is a change in toothpaste. One formulation of stannous fluoride has demonstrated the ability to remain active in the reduction of bacteria and their metabolic byproducts (toxins) up to 4 mm below the gumline (Crest Gum Detoxify).

Additionally, the antibacterial gum protection for 12 hours provides all-day protection for our patients.

Conclusion

A meta-analysis is considered the highest level of the scientific studies. The evidence demonstrates unequivocal relevance in the efficacy of the stannous fluoride molecules to enable better oral health outcomes. As clinicians, we should expect more for our patients and help guide them toward products that can produce positive oral health outcomes, such as an electric rechargable toothbrush and well-formulated stannous fluoride toothpaste. There are ample benefits to stannous fluoride that make it a simple solution for our patients.

Stannous fluoride works to protect against cavities and prevent erosive toothwear, gingivitis, plaque, bad breath, and tooth sensitivity.

(07/20/2020)
by Amber Auger, MPH, RDH
Views: 1,097

Tips for taking care of your toothbrush

Our mouth is home to millions of germs, including those living in the plaque on our teeth, so it's no surprise that these germs can collect on your toothbrush.

But bacteria from your toilet can also end up on your bristles. When you flush a toilet, the swirling water that removes waste from the bowl also mixes with small particles of that waste, shooting aerosolized feces — called fecal coliform bacteria — into the air.

This phenomenon is known as a toilet plume, which can reach as high as 15 feet, says Philip Tierno, a microbiologist at New York University. And studies have shown that it can end up on your toothbrush.

While it's not believed that the germs on your toothbrush can directly cause health problems, regularly cleaning your toothbrush, storing it properly, and knowing when to replace it is important for maintaining good oral hygiene.

After all, what's the point of brushing your teeth if your toothbrush isn't clean? Here's how to prevent the spread of germs to and from your toothbrush and the best ways to clean it.

1. Wash your hands before and after brushing your teeth

First, it's important to wash your handswith soap and water for at least 20 seconds whenever you'll be touching your toothbrush.

Your hands are the main vehicles of transmission for bacteria and viruses, so washing your hands before and after brushing will help stop the spread of germs to and from your bristles.

"You can't overemphasize the importance of washing your hands, whether it is flu season or allergy season," says William Martin, President of the Maryland State Dental Association. "People are vulnerable to the germs that end up on their hands and under their fingernail beds."

2. Rinse and store your toothbrush properly

You should thoroughly rinse your toothbrush with tap water after every use to remove any remaining food particles, toothpaste, and plaque debris, according to the American Dental Association (ADA).

After rinsing, store it in an upright position and allow it to air-dry. The bacteria that live on your toothbrush are mostly anaerobic, meaning they die in the presence of oxygen, so air-drying will kill most of the bacteria.

In addition, germs flourish in moistureand closed containers or cabinets, so it's important to leave it in the open air. But try not to store it close to your toilet — and close your toilet seat before flushing — in order to protect against germs from toilet plumes.

Lastly, avoid storing multiple brushes, such as those of family members, in the same holder or in a drawer together. It's best if they do not contact each other, as germs can also spread that way.

3. Disinfect your toothbrush

If you want to take extra precaution — or, say you drop your toothbrush on the floor, and it's visibly dirty — you may want to disinfect your toothbrush to better kill germs.

Hydrogen peroxide is an effective disinfectant that can destroy essential components of germ cells and deactivate a wide range of microorganisms. Antiseptic mouthwash contains various active ingredients, such as alcohol, menthol, and eucalyptol, which can all kill bacteria.

According to this 2011 study, soaking your toothbrush in either a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution or antiseptic mouthwash killed 100% of germs.

4. Keep your toothbrush safe while traveling

To keep your toothbrush germ-free while traveling, you should unpack it, remove its case, and store it properly everywhere you go.

Air-drying your toothbrush for as long as possible — and ideally until it is completely dry — before putting it back in its travel case is one of the most important steps you can take to protect yourself from germs.

You can also clean your travel case by rinsing it in hot water to loosen any dirt, and washing it with soap or soaking in antibacterial mouthwash for 10 to 15 minutes, just as you would with your toothbrush.

5. Know when to throw your toothbrush away

Toothbrushes should be replaced approximately every three to four months, or sooner if the bristles become matted or frayed, according to the ADA.

(07/21/2020)
by Hannah Roberts (Insider)
Views: 1,431

The pros and cons of pursuing a career as a dental hygienist

Dentist offices offer employment opportunities in nearly every city. Responsible for everything from cleaning teeth to taking X-rays, dental hygienists are the smiling face of these offices. Hygienists understand how to wear the many hats of dental care and know that a smile is a strong qualification. Check out the pros and cons of pursuing a career as a dental hygienist to see if it is the right fit for you:

PRO: Growing Employment

The field of dental hygiene is displaying a projection of rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that employment of dental hygienists is projected to increase by 11% between 2018-2028—much faster than average.

The growing demand for dental hygienists is in part because of demographics. As the large baby boomer population ages, there is more need to care for teeth and other dental issues. Additionally, more people retain their teeth for much longer. According to the Journal of the American Dental Association, complete tooth loss has decreased by more than 75% for adults 65-74 over the past five decades.2

The BLS also suggests that the growing demand for dental services, including those performed by hygienists, will increase as the demand for preventative dental services rises.

CON: Lacking Career Variety

While some degrees lend themselves to multiple career paths, a job as a dental hygienist is pretty much the same no matter where you decide to live or work. This consistency can be great, particularly if you love what you do, but if you’re looking for more variety, dental hygiene may not be right for you.

However, if you do decide to leave dental hygiene there are other career opportunities you can pursue. According to the American Dental Education Association, there are a number of careers you can do outside of a clinical dental setting. If you’re looking for what to do with a dental hygiene degree, jobs can include:

Pharmaceutical or Dental Supplies Sales

Dental Office Manager

Corporate Educator

Dental Insurance Officer

Hospital/Nursing Home Consultant

Classroom, Clinical or Laboratory Instructor

Local/State Dental Public Health Officer

Community Clinic Administrator

You may also wonder can a dental hygienist become a dentist? For those who are interested in advancing their career in the dental field, becoming a dental hygienist may be a great first step to see if you’re interested. To become a dentist you will still have to acquire additional schooling including attending dental school.

PRO: The Average Dental Hygienist Salary

Dental hygienists are in demand and integral to every dentist’s office and often earn a decent wage. According to the BLS, the median national annual salary for a dental hygienist in May 2018 was $74,820 or $37.41 per hour. This varies depending upon location, experience, and whether you are a full-time or part-time employee.

Best states to be a dental hygienist

According to the BLS’s Occupational Employment Statistics, while a career as a dental hygienist is profitable across the country, there are some states that pay better than others.

The best states to be a dental hygienist are:

Annual Mean Wage

California $100,830

Texas $75,300

New York $76,280

Florida $64,070

Pennsylvania $67,010

CON: Can be Monotonous

As a dental hygienist, you will be mostly performing the same tasks every day. While each day you will see different patients and different teeth, you will still be operating the same exercises.

The main duties of a dental hygienist are:

Performing preliminary exams on dental patients

Cleaning teeth of plaque, tartar and stains

Taking and develop dental x-rays

Administering some medication such as local anesthetics

Tracking and document care performed on patients and treatment plans

Communicating patient information to dentists

Educating patients on good oral hygiene practices, such as proper brushing technique and flossing

PRO: Schooling is Minimal

A dental hygienist career requires minimal schooling. Dental hygienist training requirements vary by state, but typically consist of:6

An associates degree in dental hygiene from a community college or technical school

State licensure

Because the education requirements are minimal, you can usually enter the career field quickly. Once you have gained the licensure for the state in which you plan to be employed, you can begin your path of employment in dental offices, community dental clinics, and public health agencies.

(07/22/2020)
Views: 666

The American College of Dentists is not about to let COVID-19 stop it from celebrating its 100 years of service

Gaithersburg, Md. — The American College of Dentists knows a thing or two about responding to pandemics. It was born in 1920 — in the immediate end of the 1918 flu pandemic — with a mission to advance excellence, ethics, professionalism and leadership in dentistry. It’s not about to let COVID-19 stop it from celebrating its 100 years of service.

The American College of Dentists will commence virtually its 2020 Annual Meeting and Centennial Celebration on Oct. 14-15. “From early March to the present, we have been in what has been referred to as suspended animation,” said Dr. Theresa S. Gonzales, executive director (photo).

“Most, if not all, conferences have been canceled for the foreseeable future and this was necessary in the context of risk mitigation and more importantly, life preservation.”

The virtual meeting and celebration, which replaces the in-person event scheduled Oct. 14-15 in Orlando, Florida, will include two full days of events. These include the Fellows Forum and a keynote address by Dr. Karl Haden, who will discuss the nine virtues of exceptional leaders based on his best-selling book of the same name.

In addition, Dr. Gonzales will deliver Our First 100 Years — the Narrative History of the American College of Dentists. “Born in the Roaring Twenties, [the college is] now celebrating a century of service in what may come to be known as the ‘Raging Twenties,” Dr. Gonzales said. In addition, the virtual event will involve the convocation of new fellows, President-elect Leo E. Rouse’s address, and recognition of the 2020 award recipients, including Drs. David W. Chambers and Jeanne C. Sinkford, this year’s William John Gies Award recipients.

The college had planned a series of 100th anniversary celebrations this year, culminating with its annual meeting and centennial celebration. In January, the college’s New England Section, in conjunction with the Yankee Dental Conference, hosted a black-tie event at the Copley Plaza Hotel, the site of where the college was founded in 1920.

That celebration was followed by festivities at the Chicago Mid-Winter Meeting and the New York Section meetings. However, by March, the

COVID-19 pandemic halted the remaining in-person celebratory plans. Founded on Aug. 20, 1920, by the president, president-elect and secretary of the National Dental Association — now the American Dental Association — and other dental leaders, the college is the oldest major honorary organization for dentists.

During its 100-year history, the college was instrumental in founding the American Association of Dental Editors and Journalists and developing related standards for professional publications. It pushed for the founding of a national dental examining board and initiated a student loan program. “I have been a proud member of ACD for over 20 years,” said Dr. Kathleen T. O’Loughlin, ADA executive director. “The ACD’s focus on ethics has elevated the profession’s reputation and emphasized as core to the profession of dentistry. Congratulations on this fantastic milestone. Happy anniversary, ACD.”

In recent years, the college has organized four ethics summits and produced several white papers on ethics, provided over 152,000 online ethics courses, and the college has distributed the Ethics Handbook for Dentists to dental students in the U.S. and Canada.“It is not possible to know what the next one hundred years will bring to our organization and our combined missions but if past is prologue, our future has limitless possibilities as we embark upon our second century of service,” Dr. Gonzales said.

(07/23/2020)
by ADA

More Information: https://www.mybestdentists.com/resources/Americancollegeofdentists

Do you need to go to the dentist but have concerns about contracting COVID-19?

Dr. Mitchell Josephs of Palm Beach Florida is reassuring patients that it is safe to return to the dentist.

"I want people to know that delaying any kind of dental work always results in more extensive and more expensive dental work," said Josephs.

He reopened his Palm Beach practice in early May after the state lifted a mandated closure.

Since then, Josephs has communicated the changes patients will experience when returning for non-emergent care.

The changes follow stringent CDC guidelines regarding social distancing and spacing out appointments. He's also ensuring staff wears an appropriate amount of personal protective equipment.

However, after more than 30 years of practicing dentistry, Josephs added new pieces of technology to his office for an extra layer of protection.

Two extra-oral suction devices are now stationed by the dental chair in the exam rooms to help reduce potential contaminants that could spread through the air.

Josephs is also warning patients about the added obstacles they may encounter if dental care is delayed.

"Sometimes that cavity means either a root canal or that tooth has to be extracted and it turned into a dental implant. So, a $350 filling becomes a $5,000 replacement for one single tooth," said Josephs.

In addition to wearing KN95 masks and gowns, he and his hygienists now use face shields.

When patients arrive at his office, staff members take their temperature to make sure they don't have fevers, which could signal COVID-19 infections, and screen them by asking questions about their health.

According to the CDC, there is currently no data available to assess the risk of COVID-19 transmission during dental practice.

In the United States, clusters of health care personnel who have tested positive for COVID-19 have been identified in hospital settings and long-term care facilities. However, there have been no clusters of coronavirus cases reported in dental settings.

(07/18/2020)
Views: 641

Dr Bill Dorfman is one of the most famous cosmetic dentist in the world

Affectionately known as “America’s Dentist,” Dr. Bill Dorfman is widely recognized world-wide as a leading dentist who is responsible for creating smiles for many of Hollywood’s brightest stars. In fact, Dr. Dorfman has become a star in his own right as the featured dentist on the hit ABC series, “Extreme Makeover,” where he performed amazing dental transformations on the show’s participants as well as a recurring guest co-host on the new Emmy Winning daytime CBS talk show, “The Doctors.” In addition, Dr. Dorfman is a world-renowned lecturer & author of the best-selling cosmetic dentistry book, The Smile Guide and the NY Times bestseller Billion Dollar Smile.

The innovative & accomplished doctor is also renowned in his field as an energy-brimming inventor & brilliant entrepreneur who has brought award-winning innovations to the world of dentistry.

Dr. Bill Dorfman has been interviewed extensively for numerous television shows & magazines including ABC’s Good Morning America, The View, Oprah, CNN’s Larry King Live, NBC’s The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Dr. Phil, The Rachael Ray Show, Steve Harvey Show, FABLife, The Doctors, The Tyra Banks Show, Ricki Lake Show, Entertainment Tonight, MTV’s The Osbournes & Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica, The Wayne Brady Show, The Sharon Osbourne Show, Living It Up! With Ali & Jack, EXTRA, Soap Talk, Access Hollywood & E! Entertainment Television.

As a 1980 graduate from UCLA Dr. Bill was honored with the prestigious “UCLA Outstanding Senior Award.” He then received his dental degree in 1983 from the University of the Pacific in San Francisco, where he was one of the youngest graduates ever to receive his doctorate degree. Upon graduation, he completed a two-year residency at a dental hospital in Lausanne, Switzerland. In 1985, Dr. Dorfman returned to the United States & established his private practice in aesthetic & general dentistry.

In 1989, at the age of 30, Dr. Bill formed the hugely successful company, Discus Dental, Inc., the world’s leading manufacturer & distributor of tooth-whitening, oral hygiene & aesthetic dental products. Here he helped develop such ground-breaking professional take-home teeth whitening products as Nite White, Day White, Breath Rx, Zoom! , and Brite Smile.

Dr. Bill is a member of the American Dental Association & he is one of only 100 Fellows in the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.

His humanitarian & philanthropic involvement has led to his being honored with 14 Life Time Achievement Awards in addition to 2 Guinness World Book records and in 2018 he was Knighted by the Royal Order of Constantine!

His personal fitness regime includes a strict, healthy diet and outdoor activities that include water & snow skiing, biking, climbing, swimming & scuba diving.

When Dr. Bill Dorfman is away from his busy dental office, he enjoys spending time with his three daughters, family and friends.

(07/24/2020)
Views: 981