DrBicuspid.com takes a look back at the five most-read columns and practice management articles from fall 2017, as measured by page views. These columns focus on a wide variety of topics, from legal cases to teeth whitening to overprescription of antibiotics.
- Legal Cases: Failure to diagnose squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior mandibular region -- William S. Spiegel and Marc R. Leffler, DDS
December 4, 2017 -- A 45-year-old law-enforcement officer presented to an oral surgeon when his general dentist found a white lesion near a recent lower incisor extraction. An oral surgeon shared the general dentist's concern, so he debrided the extraction site and sent all of the removed tissue for histopathology. A week later, the biopsy result was available. This patient's treatment and case are a reminder that chart entries are crucial to patient care and for legal documentation. - What do you say when asked about teeth whitening? -- Alvin Danenberg, DDS
October 25, 2017 -- One of Dr. Alvin Danenberg's patients emailed him asking what could be done to get his teeth "really white really fast." This is probably a question you've heard from patients in your practice. What do you say to them? He walks you through his response. - Prophylaxis against overprescribing -- Tom Viola, RPh
November 14, 2017 -- The prophylactic use of antibiotics for preventing prosthetic joint replacement infection remains one of the most contested issues in dentistry. Pharmacist Tom Viola walks you through the clinical practice recommendations. - Data Trends: Gross production per chair down since 2010 -- Alitta Boechler, AuD, MBA
September 25, 2017 -- What is your gross production per chair per hour this year? How does it compare with a few years ago? Alitta Boechler of Sikka Software finds that data show that production at U.S. practices has not rebounded this decade. - 3 reasons you should only discuss essential treatment first -- Sally McKenzie
October 2, 2017 -- How often have you finished an exam on a new patient, presented a comprehensive treatment program, and then never saw that patient again. Practice management consultant Sally McKenzie suggests that the issue might be that your new patient is overwhelmed and does not trust you yet. She recommends starting with essential treatment and going from there.
