⬇️ Below the Gumline
There was a time I wanted out of dentistry. I actually did it — stepped away, convinced that life would be easier without the stress, the pressure, the constant demand to perform. But here’s what I learned: the grass isn’t greener on the other side — it’s greener where you water it. Avoiding the hard parts of our work doesn’t make them disappear; it just delays growth. The truth is, mastery kills misery. When you face the things you dread and get good at them, they stop feeling like enemies.
This week, stop running from what frustrates you. 💪 Pick one hard thing in your practice and decide to master it. Growth follows courage — always.
🔥 High-Speed Chatter
🦾 AI gets a voice: VideaHealth just launched AI-powered dental voice notes — so your charting might soon sound like dictating to a super-smart assistant instead of scribbling between patients. Read More >
🧠 Fluoride fights & recovery: The ADA President opens up about sobriety, burnout, and the messy battle over fluoridation funding. A raw glimpse into leadership under pressure. Read More >
😌 Fear-free dentistry: A Chicago dentist claims to have created a system that eliminates dental anxiety — and patients are lining up for it. Read More >
🚫 DIY danger: Laredo Orthodontics warns against at-home aligners after seeing disastrous results. Straight teeth should never come with an ER visit. Read More >
🏫 Clinic closure alert: Harvard’s Cambridge free clinic — a lifeline for underserved patients — is shutting its doors. Access gaps are widening. Read More >
🦠 Friendly bacteria gone rogue: A supposedly harmless oral microbe killed a healthy woman — a stark reminder that even “normal” flora can turn deadly. Read More >
👩⚕️ Small-town superhero: A dentist in Alabama is transforming her rural community by treating kids who’ve never seen a dentist before.Read More>
🏛️ ADA’s next chapter: Dr. Thomas Paumier was voted ADA president-elect — expect a renewed focus on advocacy, prevention, and member unity. Read More >
💔 Tragic case: The story of Sophie Farmer — a young woman lost to infection — underscores how vital oral health really is. Read More >
🌍 Global spotlight: Even the BBC is covering dentistry’s growing crisis, highlighting the global struggle for affordable oral care. Read More >
🧪 The Research Says
⁇ The Question: Do glass ionomers actually remineralize dentin — or is that just marketing magic?
📚 The Evidence:
Glass ionomers are “bioactive” because they release fluoride, calcium, and phosphate ions. A 2023 systematic review (Ghilotti et al., J Funct Biomater) showed consistent mineral gain beneath GIC restorations. A 2024 study by Kuru et al. (BMC Oral Health) confirmed significant calcium-phosphate increases under Fuji IX. Microscopy from Hoshika et al., 2022 revealed a real ion-exchange layer — where tooth and material literally merge.
“Both traditional and resin-modified glass ionomers increased dentin hardness and mineral content, supporting true remineralization.”
— Ghilotti et al., 2023
The ADA’s 2023 guideline agrees: remove decay at the periphery, but leave affected dentin pulpally to avoid exposure. Once sealed, remaining bacteria go dormant. The key predictor of success? Seal quality — not dentin hardness.
“Once a well-sealed restoration is placed, remaining bacteria become inactive.” — JADA, 2023
✅ The Answer:
Yes — glass ionomers truly remineralize caries-affected dentin. They restore hardness, rebuild mineral, and form a stable chemical bond. This isn’t hype — it’s chemistry in action.
🪥 The Application:
When you’re near the pulp, stop at firm dentin and seal with a glass ionomer liner or base. Keep it isolated and let the ions work. Over time, the dentin strengthens and heals.
Bottom line: A well-sealed glass ionomer doesn’t just fill — it helps the tooth recover.
💰 Business Bites
Control the #1 Overhead Killer: Staff Costs 💸
If your staff wages exceed 25–28 % of collections, your profit is quietly bleeding. Track your labor ratio weekly, cross-train your team, and align staffing to production instead of the calendar.
Lower payroll = lower stress = higher take-home.
🤯 Productive Pearls
Choreograph Your Composite Routine 🎯
Your composite placement should feel like a well-timed dance, not improv night. Map every step — from anesthesia to final cure — and run it like choreography.
🎥 Record one procedure and review it for three steps to tighten. Trim just 15 seconds per step, and you’ll save hours per week while feeling smoother in every op.
💉 Mental Anesthesia
Another amazing ADA ad……
🤝 Got a Question? Got a Friend? 🤝
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