Dear DrBicuspid Member,
It was a busy week in the dental news world, so let's dive right in to some of the hotter topics we covered this week on DrBicuspid.com.
The peak number of patients that dentists can see daily has shrunk considerably due to new protocols implemented to control the spread of COVID-19. However, patient volumes remain close to maximum levels, suggesting offices weren't very efficient before the pandemic. There were some interesting new numbers in our recap of the latest data from the ADA Health Policy Institute.
Speaking of COVID-19, are you incorporating preprocedural rinses into your patient routine? There was some scientific discussion on that front in our coverage this week.
Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) products, including a gargle and mouthwash and a throat spray, can kill 99.99% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus within 30 seconds, according to a brief report published on July 8 in Infectious Diseases and Therapy.
Assistant Editor Melissa Busch followed up on that story with an interview with Dr. Louis DePaola, the associate dean of clinical affairs and a professor in the department of oncology and diagnostic sciences at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry. Dr. DePaola discussed the good and not-so-good things associated with some of the available options.
This week also marked a milestone event regarding dental amalgam separators and your dental practice. On July 15, a rule went into effect that will impact every dental practice in the U.S. Alexander Bischoff took a look at the Environmental Protection Agency's amalgam rule, what it means for you, what you need to know, and why it must now be a part of your weekly routine.
Finally, what would you do if a patient walked into your practice and refused to adhere to your guidelines for safety? It happened in one dental practice in a video that has gone viral. Would you be prepared? How would you respond? We asked four dental consultants for their thoughts and advice.
Thank you, as always, for reading DrBicuspid.com. We wish you and your loved ones continued health and safety.
