dentist

Dentists Overprescribing Opioids to Adults in the U.S.

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In the past on this site, some studies have discussed how dentists and oral surgeons may be prescribing too many opioids to their patients. For example see the posts Important Studies on Opioid Prescribing: Implications for Dentistry, Do Oral Surgeons Give Too Many Opioids for Wisdom Teeth Removal? and Opioid Prescriptions From Dental Clinicians for Young Adults and Subsequent Opioid Use and Abuse. Now a new study has recently appeared in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine titled “Overprescribing of Opioids to Adults by Dentists in the U.S., 2011–2015”, written by Suda et al. (pp. 1−14, 2019 in press). The study found that between 25% and 50% of opioids prescribed to adults by dentists in the U.S. are overprescribed. This is important because dentists are responsible for prescribing 10% of all opioids to patients in the U.S. The authors feel that urgent … Read more

Relocation: The key considerations to tackle

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Some people will live in the same place, or even the same house, for their entire lives. Then, you have free spirits, those who like to roam about from city to city every year. In between the above groups, there are some people who are forced to uproot their life and relocate. Generally speaking, this tends to be for work, but there can also be reasons related to family which make it a necessity. If you have are considering relocating in the past, the below will offer you some of the big things to consider ahead of your move. Location, location, location Granted, you may have decided on your new destination of choice, but your next choice revolves around the city, or even the neighborhood that you will be heading to. Contrary to popular belief, this isn’t just about crime … Read more

Oral Surgeon Ordered to Pay $517,000 for Hit and Run Dentistry

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In November 2019, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in New Jersey had his license revoked by the New Jersey State Board of Dentistry and was ordered to pay roughly $517,000 in penalties, costs, and restitution to patients. The oral surgeon was said to have engaged in “hit and run dentistry” that had harmful consequences for many patients. The New Jersey State Board of Dentistry ordered the oral surgeon to pay civil penalties totaling $138,500; restitution totaling $75,041.22 to fifteen patients; and aggregate costs and attorneys’ fees of $303,856.22. New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said “…revolving-door dentistry that puts practitioners’ financial gain ahead of patient health and safety erodes public trust and undermines the integrity of the entire profession. That’s why it’s important for the Board to take decisive action in cases like this one, and we are pleased that … Read more

Improving the Dental Care Customer Experience

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Everyone knows that the vast majority of patients do not like going to the dentist. In fact many people are afraid of the dentist and won’t even go when there is a problem. Therefore, it is important that dentists focus on the customer experience to create customer success and have patients keep coming back. Having positive outcomes for patients can lead them to refer their friends and family to the practice. Dentist should consider questions such as “are our customers happy?” and “do we provide quality care?”. Below are some ways to improve the customer experience for dentists that will lead to better outcomes for patients and for dentists: 1. Stay in Touch Even though you may have a dental patient, it is important to continue to cultivate that relationship. After they leave the dental office you may consider calling … Read more

The Defensive Patients Guide to Wisdom Teeth Removal

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Medical doctors are often accused of practicing what is known as defensive medicine. With defensive medicine, a doctor will deviate from the normal practice of medicine in order to perform a medical treatment or run a diagnostic test in order to reduce potential exposure to a malpractice lawsuit. This leads to treatments and tests that are not clinically necessary and is often said to be a cause of overtesting and overtreatment. Defensive medicine is discussed as serving to protect the physician from a lawsuit by the patient. What is not discussed is the idea that a patient can also practice defensive medicine to protect the patient from losing a legitimate lawsuit against the physician. Applying this concept to wisdom teeth surgery, the following is suggested for a patient to help protect themselves from losing a legitimate lawsuit against a physician, … Read more