Week in Review: U.S. Senator questions Medicaid fraud cases and social media blackmail

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

A U.S. senator is asking key government agencies how many criminal and civil cases have been brought against dentists suspected of Medicaid fraud after federal audits have identified questionable billing practices by providers in various states. Read Features Editor Donna Domino's article here.

Social media blackmail was probably not on the syllabus in dental school, but it's a reality in today's connected world. In her latest Sheri's Solutions, Dr. Sheri Doniger relates what she heard at a recent dental conference on this topic and delves into the realities that every practice faces.

Can your practice survive on referrals? If it can, fantastic. If it likely cannot, you may need to be doing marketing. The Madow Brothers offer some practical, thoughtful ideas on how to get started and how to take your marketing efforts to the next level.

No one wants to be treated like a number -- especially when it comes to healthcare. You can make your practice stand out from competitors by getting to know your patients as individuals and honoring their personal preferences on everything from appointment times to tooth polish flavor, according to Dr. Roger P. Levin.

Judging from your comments in our Forums, questions raised by the ongoing investigations into possible Medicaid fraud and issues around marketing your practice are two of the most prominent issues on your mind. Discuss these and other issues with your colleagues.