⬇️ Below the Gumline
A ten-minute appointment doesn’t leave much room for fluff—but empathy isn’t fluff ❤️. It’s often the difference between a rushed interaction and a patient who actually trusts you. Most patients aren’t upset about dentistry itself; they’re anxious about uncertainty, loss of control, or not feeling heard. One calm explanation, eye contact, and a genuine “Are you doing okay?” can completely change the visit. This week’s challenge: see how much trust you can build in the first 60 seconds—the other nine minutes tend to go a lot smoother after that.
🔥 High-Speed Chatter
🦷📉 Dental staffing shortages heading into 2026 — still regional, still uneven, and still something that directly impacts production, access, and burnout. Read More >
🧠💔 Dentist murders wife and daughter, then himself — tragic, disturbing, and a sobering reminder that mental health in dentistry deserves serious attention. Read More >
🦷⚖️ Dentist ordered to pay $95M for alleged patient disfigurement — an extreme case, but a stark reminder of what happens when standards and oversight break down. Read More >
🧪 Prison dentist sued over mercury exposure claims — even in “nontraditional” settings, protocols and documentation still matter… a lot. Read More >
🏥 States push back on corporate takeovers of dental care — lawmakers may finally be responding to concerns many dentists have raised for years. Read More >
🖥️ Dandy acquires Neem — more consolidation, more “digital innovation,” and more questions for independent practices long-term. Read More >
💰 North Carolina restores Medicaid dental rates — proof that advocacy sometimes works… just slower than anyone would like. Read More >
🦷🧠 Oral health linked to systemic outcomes (again) — science keeps reminding us the mouth isn’t separate from the body, no matter how insurance treats it. Read More >
🤰 Higher maternal vitamin D tied to improved outcomes — another data point for whole-patient conversations and interdisciplinary care. Read More >
💊 Maryland dentist accused in oxycodone pill-splitting scheme — compliance shortcuts have a way of becoming front-page news. Read More >
🦷😬 Fake dentist performed root canals after online tutorials — horrifying, impressive, and infuriating all at once. Regulation exists for a reason. Read More >
💰 Business Bites
You’re undercharging for stress, risk, and complexity—and you know it.
🦷 Difficult procedures like surgical extractions carry higher risk, greater time demands, and real mental load—your fees should reflect that. If PPOs cap your base fee, look for value-add bundles: enhanced post-op care, sedation options, same-day follow-ups, or priority scheduling.
This isn’t about gouging patients—it’s about being paid appropriately for complexity. If a procedure ruins your mood for the rest of the day, it’s probably priced wrong.
🤯 Productive Pearls
Better blocks come from better landmarks—not more anesthetic.
❌ Many failed blocks are simply too low or too posterior. Visualize the coronoid notch, aim 6–10 mm above the occlusal plane, and contact bone every time—then withdraw about 1 mm before depositing.
🪑 After the injection, seat patients at a 45-degree angle (not fully upright or flat) to improve diffusion and comfort. Fewer re-blocks, less frustration, happier everyone.
💉 Mental Anesthesia
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