Electronic records spark debate; oral bisphosphonates pose risks

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The DrBicuspid.com Forums heated up this week following the posting of our two-part series on electronic health records (EHRs).

Those who favor EHRs say the advantages are many, from increased productivity to fewer medical errors. Those on the other side of the debate argue that patient privacy can be too easily compromised, and that the cost of transitioning to a completely paperless office -- including patient charts -- is hard to justify. Where do you stand? Let us know by joining the debate.

Another controversy has been stirred up by a study published in this month's Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers from the University of Southern California found that the risk of osteonecrosis of the jaw in patients who have undergone oral bisphosphonate therapy could be higher than originally thought, even after short-term use. But Merck, the maker of Fosamax, says the study is flawed, limited, and not a reliable source for valid scientific conclusions. Decide for yourself here.

In other clinical news, contributing editor Dr. Monica Anderson discusses the pros and cons of endodontic posts and finds that, increasingly, dentists are favoring fiber-reinforced posts over all others. What makes them stand out from the crowd? Find out here.

Over on the Word of Mouth page, Dr. Helaine Smith shares her thoughts on CAD/CAM technology, specifically the Cerec. Having owned one now for two years, she says the rewards definitely outweigh the challenges -- as long as you are realistic about the overall impact of CAD/CAM on your bottom line.

As always, don't forget to check out our News in Brief section, too. From California now requiring all dentists to be fingerprinted to a new study showing that a simple dental workup can reduce atherosclerosis, there's always something interesting to read!