In an effort to stem the spread of COVID-19 and help keep communities safe, public health authorities have emphasized the need for physical distancing among community members. According to Health Canada, physical distancing refers to keeping space between yourself and other people outside of your home. We’re currently required to keep at least six feet apart from other people, to stay out of crowded places, and to avoid mass gatherings.
In oral healthcare, ingestion or aspiration of foreign objects are significant iatrogenic events. These mishaps are by their very nature unexpected, and successful prevention and management are key to minimizing potential adverse consequences. While relatively rare, dental literature is filled with reports of ingested or aspirated dental burs, implant components, endodontic files, amalgam fragments, crowns, extracted teeth, pins, posts, rubber dam clamps, impression materials, and many mor...
Routine and elective dentistry came to a screeching halt in March. Across the country, we sheltered in place, waiting for the storm to pass. Fortunately, Phase 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. Now, it is time to get back to work, but dentistry has changed. Although this crisis began abruptly, public health experts are warning that it will be a long time before we get back to our old ways. As members of the dental profession, we must adhere to the new normal.
We are currently living in a time of immense uncertainty, and the unknown can be stressful and anxiety-provoking for many. With the release of new information regarding the easing of coronavirus restrictions and lockdown measures, there will undoubtedly be anxiety amongst team members at the mere thought of returning to work.
Word of mouth can be considered the oldest form of marketing, dating back to the 1600’s. Originating with the town crier, word of mouth marketing has evolved throughout the years from storytelling and street plays to modern social media. In today’s hyper-connected world, the impact of information spread through word of mouth is amplified and accessible to an even broader audience.
It has long been suggested that engaged team members are more productive within—and loyal to—their organizations. Team engagement is a critical driver for practice success. Engaged team members are not just satisfied with their jobs, they are energized by them. Despite these benefits, many of us fall short on engaging our employees or find ourselves stumped on where to start.
While no one can predict the long-term social and economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have already seen significant job losses and economic turmoil. Dentistry, like most industries, has not been spared.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare systems have been felt on a global scale –dental communities being no exception. In response to the virus’ rapid spread in Canada, regulatory authorities across the country have recently advised dental practices to reschedule all non-essential dental treatments, reserving treatment for emergency cases only.
Purchasing a dental practice can have a lasting impact on a dentist’s career and is one of—if not the—largest investments of a lifetime. Acquiring the right practice can provide a dentist with meaning and satisfaction for years to come; however, buying the wrong one can leave a dentist worse off than owning no practice at all. Such an important decision requires careful deliberation, attention to detail and due diligence.
The dental profession is going through an extraordinary period of change; technology is rapidly advancing, research is expanding in a variety of new directions, regulations are being revised, and expectations about what a visit to the dentist means are evolving. Change is exciting, but it can also be stressful. Over the past few years, the media, regulatory bodies, and the general public have taken a greater interest in Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC).
