Thought Leadership | The Wire

Time to Say Goodbye: Best Practices for Dismissing a Patient from Your Dental Practice

Posted May 24th, 2021 in 2021, the wire, thought leadership

The dentist-patient relationship is the core of dentistry. Just like in any relationship, there inevitably will be a negative experience, and nearly all dentists will need to dismiss a patient at some point in their careers. Dismissals can be upsetting for patients and stressful for dentists. Regardless of whether you have conducted a patient dismissal previously, it is always good to review and possibly revise your dismissal procedure to ensure you follow the best practices for terminating ...

Name It to Tame It: Labelling Emotions to Reduce Stress & Anxiety

Posted May 3rd, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership, 2021

Dr. Dan Siegel coined the phrase, name it to tame it. Psychologist David Rock states, “when you experience significant internal tension and anxiety, you can reduce stress by up to 50% by simply noticing and naming your state.” Abblett further explains, if we can see the emotion, we do not have to be the emotion. Noticing and naming our emotions helps create some distance between the emotion and the intense feelings that accompany it.

5 Common Pitfalls of Patient Privacy

Posted Apr 6th, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership, 2021

The original Hippocratic Oath, one of the oldest binding documents in history, dates back to the fourth century B.C. A 1943 translation of the Oath reads, "What I may see or hear in the course of the treatment or even outside of the treatment … I will keep to myself." Much has changed in the 2,500 years since Hippocrates swore never “to use the knife;” however, the notion that doctors owe patients an ethical duty of privacy has withstood the test of time. Modern dentists must comply with fed...

Dental Hygiene Visits and Overall Health During COVID-19

Posted Apr 5th, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership, 2021

It’s been just about a year since we all began living in our COVID-19 inspired modified reality. As industry professionals, we know the importance of regular dental hygiene appointments and we have a responsibility to ensure our patients are protecting their oral health.

World Oral Health Day: Top 5 Tips for Optimal Gum Health

Posted Mar 20th, 2021 in 2021, the wire, thought leadership

According to the Canadian Dental Association (CDA), seven out of 10 Canadians will develop gum disease at some time in their lives. Taking care of your gums is very important, not only to protect your teeth, but also because the state of your gums can impact other health conditions you may have. Gingivitis and periodontitis are two forms of gum disease, both of which are the results of bacterial infection in your gums, ligaments and bone around the teeth. While gum disease progresses slowly,...

Building a Safety Culture in Your Practice: A Worthwhile Investment

Posted Mar 17th, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership, 2021

There are many definitions for culture, including “the systems of knowledge shared by a relatively large group of people.” Safety culture within an organization comprises the values, attitudes, perceptions, competencies, and patterns of behavior that determine the commitment to—and the style and proficiency of—a health and safety program. In dentistry, as in healthcare in general, safety culture involves an unwavering commitment to the wellbeing of patients and team members.

Top Tips for Email Security

Posted Feb 8th, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership, 2021

As the digital world continues to evolve, so, too, do online scams. In recent years, phishing email scams have become increasingly prevalent and sophisticated. The following tips will help you combat security threats and keep your practice’s data safe.

Best Practices for Retaining Your Patients of Record

Posted Jan 11th, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership, 2021

An industry best-practice is to book your patients for their next dental appointment before they leave your clinic. Ideally, this is done through the dental hygienist in the operatory. This practice ensures that your patients are kept on track to receive optimal patient care. Establishing a culture of prioritizing pre-appointments can be achieved by reviewing pre-appointment numbers with all practice team members and holding staff accountable for pre-booking their patients.

Key Hiring Tips for the New Year

Posted Jan 5th, 2021 in the wire, thought leadership

The start of a new year is an opportune time to assess your resources as you begin to execute your goals – one such resource being your pool of talent. The below are useful tips to keep in mind as you set out to add top performers to your roster in the year ahead.

Understanding Procedure Codes: A Practical Look at Risks and Ethics

Posted Dec 14th, 2020 in 2020, the wire, thought leadership

Proper procedure coding within your practice is important on many levels, from ensuring accurate payment for dentists to creating a valid record of patient care. Failing to use appropriate procedure codes can lead to all kinds of mischief for dentists as well as poor outcomes for patients. Indeed, accurate procedure coding is a legal requirement with serious consequences for those who fail to abide by the regulations. The following are examples of misconduct that can result from the intentio...

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