Estela Vargas and Belle DuCharme

Insurance
Busting the myth of ‘once perio, always perio'
The myth of “once perio maintenance, always perio maintenance” continues to hamper billing systems in dental practices. It's OK to alternate between prophy and perio maintenance codes, according to Estela Vargas, CRDH, and Belle DuCharme.
November 27, 2023
Coding Billing Woman
Insurance
Defining multiple surface restorations for insurance reimbursement
Submitting a successful claim for a multisurface restoration on one tooth can be tricky. Coding expert Estela Vargas, RDH, and Belle DuCharme offer tips to ensure you get paid.
September 7, 2023
Dental Procedure Patient
Insurance
Avoid fraud in your forecast: Experts answer 3 dental billing questions
Do you know what fraud looks like? Two coding experts review frequently asked dental billing questions.
July 19, 2023
Coding Billing Woman
Insurance
Dental hygienist responsibilities in coding dental claims
While most dental hygienists cannot legally diagnose dental disease, they still have a legal responsibility to properly code what they do. Coding expert Estela Vargas shares tips for coding common dental hygiene treatments.
January 31, 2023
2022 04 08 16 47 4860 2022 04 08 Vargas Estela 400
Insurance
How to appeal claim denials for crowns and cracked teeth
One of the most common denials from insurance plans is for crowns. Coding expert Estela Vargas shares her tips for ensuring you get paid for crowns, a common denial scenario, and a sample letter to use if you need to appeal a claim.
October 19, 2022
2022 04 08 16 47 4860 2022 04 08 Vargas Estela 400
Insurance
How to get paid for dental implants
September is National Dental Implant Awareness Month. However, awareness of implants only goes so far if your patients can't afford them. Coding expert Estela Vargas shares tips on how to get paid for dental implants from insurance and elsewhere.
September 18, 2022
2022 04 08 16 47 4860 2022 04 08 Vargas Estela 400
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2-time arrested unlicensed dentist sentenced
A woman who was arrested in two states for allegedly providing braces and more to individuals without a dental license was sentenced.
Woman Dentist Male Patient Luckybusiness
Dental Practice
More than half of women dentists experience violence at work
Child Sad
Pediatrics
Bad childhood may equal bad teeth
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Team Management
When silence speaks loudly: Why dental team members shut down
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2-time arrested unlicensed dentist sentenced
By Melissa Busch
A woman who was arrested in two states for allegedly providing braces and more to individuals without a dental license was sentenced.
July 18, 2025
Judge Gavel Court
More than half of women dentists experience violence at work
By Melissa Busch
More than 60% of women dentists reported experiencing violence at their dental practices, according to a new study.
July 18, 2025
Woman Dentist Male Patient Luckybusiness
Bad childhood may equal bad teeth
By Ava Barros
Early childhood trauma like abuse or family instability may elevate the risk of dental caries in children, according to new findings in the Journal of Dentistry.
July 18, 2025
Child Sad
When silence speaks loudly: Why dental team members shut down
By Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH
Silence in your dental practice isn’t harmless. It can indicate deeper issues with trust, safety, and communication, writes Kelly Tanner, PhD, RDH.
July 18, 2025
Kelly Tanner 400
After 6 malpractice claims, dentist is sanctioned a 3rd time, once his license expires
By Clark Kauffman
A former West Des Moines, IA, dentist who has been sued six times for medical malpractice has been sanctioned for the third time by the Iowa Dental Board.
July 17, 2025
Discipline Employee
Apical periodontitis may be a risk factor for heart problems
By Ava Barros
Research published in the Journal of Dentistry suggests apical periodontitis may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease, underscoring the importance of treating endodontic infections to lower one's cardiometabolic risk.
July 17, 2025
Heart Toothbrush Admin Design
How dental practices can say goodbye to Sucktember
By Joanne Miles, RDA
September has always been thought of as a problem in dentistry. However, Joanne Miles, RDA, believes the traditionally low-producing month of September deserves a second look.
July 17, 2025
2025 07 17 Miles Joanne 400
Dental duets: AI and my Dustin Hoffman moment with Dr. Marty Jablow
By Michael Ventriello
From predictions for the next five years to the difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and "AI lite," Dr. Marty Jablow shares his thoughts on one of the hottest trends in dentistry today.
July 17, 2025
Michael Ventriello.
5 must-read endodontic articles
By DrBicuspid.com staff writers
These endodontic-related stories from the first half of 2025 captivated DrBicuspid readers.
July 17, 2025
Endodontic Microscope Dmitry
This filler may be elite for root canals
By Ava Barros
Certain fillers improve root canal therapy by boosting the antibacterial properties of resin-based root canal sealers, reports a study published on July 9 in BMC Oral Health.
July 17, 2025
Root Canal Malyutinaanna
Case #827: 40-year-old woman with lesion
By Dr. Juan F. Yepes
A 40-year-old woman was referred to the endodontist by her family dentist to evaluate a lesion located at the periapical area of tooth #30. The woman was asymptomatic. Challenge yourself with this DrBicuspid case study, and put your dental expertise to the test.
July 17, 2025
2025 07 17 Endo Cs Fig2 400
Class-action lawsuit filed against DSO Heartland Dental
By Melissa Busch
A patient has filed a class-action lawsuit against dental service organization (DSO) Heartland Dental.
July 16, 2025
Adobe Stock/WESTOCK.
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