Dear DrBicuspid.com Member,
Here in the U.S., we are in the midst of Labor Day weekend as we look forward to a Monday where we start to say farewell to summer and prepare for cooler temperatures. Labor Day has been set aside as an American national holiday since 1894. It's a time to honor the achievements and accomplishments of workers, and, in my mind, that includes dentists and team members and everything you have done over the past few months. You all have worked incredibly hard since returning to your practices, and I know it's appreciated by your patients.
Part of returning to your practice is always preparing for what is to come. That includes a flu season during which COVID-19 will continue to be a part of the conversation. With all of that in mind, Laurie Owens offers advice on how dental practices can prepare for all scenarios. She also includes information on medical reimbursement that can help dental practices provide assistance in a more cost-effective way.
Included in what is to come is ensuring your patients are confident about returning to your practice. Dr. Margaret Scarlett writes that patients were confused by the limitation of dental care to emergencies in March and April and the reopening in May and June. Then, in mid-August, a statement from the World Health Organization again urged deferral of routine dental care. How do dental practices allay the fears of nervous dental team members and patients? She offers some advice and ideas.
How about the role of technology in your patients' return? Patients are limiting their trips outside the home, often putting off routine care. For those who have prioritized a trip to your practice, how can you make the most of their time and yours? In-house cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for general dentists has been a growing trend -- even before the pandemic -- but now it's becoming even more of a benefit, writes Dr. Robert Pauley Jr.
On the scientific side, researchers recently reported that they were able to eliminate latent herpes simplex virus 1 in mice using a new gene editing technique that targets the root cause of oral herpes. We have the details of this recently published study.
Finally, what pieces of advice would dental hygienists give to their colleagues nowadays, following the introduction of COVID-19 into our society and profession? We asked hygienists for their thoughts, and they shared a wide range of suggestions.
As always, thank you for reading DrBicuspid.com. We hope you find some time this weekend to take a deep breath and look back on all of your accomplishments so far this year.
