Dear DrBicuspid Member,
Hello, October! Here in Colorado, the leaves are showing their colors (and starting to drop to the ground) and my neighbors are in full Halloween decorating mode. At our house, we've already started planning what holiday travel will look like with a pandemic in effect, marking another sign that the end of the year is quickly approaching.
If you're like me, you won't be too sad to see 2020 end. After all, it's been a year of change none of us could have foreseen. It's been a year of struggle and overcoming obstacles for many of us, both personally and professionally.
That includes, of course, in your dental practice. Some of that stress has shown up in your patients who have come into your practice with a cracked tooth caused by anxiety. But should you take a 3D scan for that cracked tooth? There are times when it is warranted, and there are also standard clinical situations in which cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) has proved to be highly beneficial, several of which feature bruxism and fractures as symptoms, Dr. Lea Al Matny shared earlier this week.
Speaking of CBCT, a scan recently helped identify a fifth canal in the first premolar of a man who was undergoing a root canal. This is the first reported case of a fifth canal in this type of tooth, and the photos that accompany this case are fascinating, in my opinion.
On the business side, how do your October and November hygiene schedules look? Curtis Marshall is asking dentists and dental hygienists to look and see what holes there are. You may be surprised by the number, but don't be overly concerned: There is still time to have a strong end to the year with the tips he provides.
As the colder months quickly approach accompanied by an increased fear of a second wave of COVID-19 and a seasonal flu, dentists should consider how they will continue to ensure patient confidence and maintain practice revenues, Dan Croft wrote earlier this week. He gives advice on how practices can continue to rebound and thrive during these upcoming times.
Along those lines, only a third of parents believe that the flu vaccine will be more important this year, and 1 in 7 parents will not vaccinate their child due to concerns about COVID-19, according to the results of a new poll. The poll results underscore concerns that there could be a double impact of seasonal flu and COVID-19 this winter. How will that affect your business, including your patients and team?
There is a lot to think about as the fourth quarter kicks into high gear, and I thank you for taking the time to read DrBicuspid.com. Throughout the coming months, we will continue to provide you with information to help you succeed, personally and professionally.
