Practice Management Insider: Consumer dental spending rises after tax refund

Dear Practice Management Insider,

Consumers spend more on dental services during tax-refund season, according to a new report from the JPMorgan Chase Institute. The increase in healthcare spending suggests patients are putting off health and dental treatments until they have additional cash. Read more here.

In other Practice Management Community news, with the rapid growth of the aging population in the U.S., it is likely your practice is already seeing a rising number of older adult patients. Dr. Nathan Oakes details his practice's treatment plan for these patients and how they can help your practice thrive. Learn more here.

There are essentially two types of dental practices: reactive practices and proactive practices, writes Laura Hatch, founder of Front Office Rocks, a dental practice front office training firm. If you are concerned your practice is in the reactive category, Hatch offers three practical ideas to help your practice change that to increase your productivity. Read more here.

Precisely determining a patient's dental insurance coverage should not be complicated, but it is for many offices, writes Dr. Sheri B. Doniger. She outlines the process her office uses and the variables she and her team must deal with. Learn more here.

Also in the Practice Management Community, you'll find the following recent industry news:

• The University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry received a $1.5 million grant from Delta Dental.
• The U.S. Department of Justice announced a $23.9 million settlement with Benevis and Kool Smiles.
• The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services clarified the rule on no texting of patient orders.