⬇️ Below the Gumline
Lately I’ve been asking myself a simple but uncomfortable question: am I pushing myself, or am I just coasting in the comfort zone? In dentistry, it’s easy to settle into routines that feel safe—the same procedures, the same workflows, the same conversations. But growth rarely happens where it’s comfortable. This week, I’m challenging myself to lean into the discomfort, to try one new thing that stretches my skills or my thinking, and to see where that extra push might take me. Ask yourself the same question—and before the week is over, find one opportunity to do just a little more than you thought you could.
🔥 High-Speed Chatter
🏛 Looks like the ADA is struggling — $20 million in cuts from the 2025 budget. Read More →
💸 A Broken Arrow dentist just coughed up over half a million dollars for Medicaid billing mischief—ouch. Read More →
🤖 Nanobots to the rescue: magnetically guided micro-machines being tested to zap tooth sensitivity—science fiction meets chairside. Read More →
🕵️ Aspen Dental settlement — nearly $19 million over sneaky patient-tracking pixels. Read More →
🚔 Dentist “family drama” turns dark: Karnataka authorities arrested him after body parts showed up in 19 different spots. Read More →
🎓 From casebook to campus — Wichita State and FHSU explore launching a dental school. Read More →
🧼 PDL Uniclean launch — one cleaner to wipe your gear clean with no soap. Read More →
🚀 Kuraray’s faster bond — shaving seconds off those etch-bond-rinse blues. Read More →
😁 Ultradent’s new whitening kit — helping patients smile a little more. Read More →
⚖️ Late verdict buzz: $11M jury verdict against a Pennsylvania dentist for missed cancer diagnosis and alleged cover-up. Read More →
🧪 The Research Says
⁇ The Question: Does Gluma actually reduce post-op sensitivity in composite fillings?
⚖️ The Evidence: The strongest research says no. A 12-month split-mouth randomized controlled trial in the Journal of Dentistry (2022) and a 24-month RCT in Dental Materials (2023) both found no significant reduction in post-op sensitivity when Gluma was used compared to high-quality adhesive systems.
“After two years, Gluma-treated restorations showed no difference in sensitivity compared to controls.” (Dental Materials, 2023)
✅ The Answer: Gluma does not provide a meaningful clinical benefit for preventing post-op sensitivity when modern bonding techniques are used.
🏠 The Application: Don’t waste time or money on the green bottle. Focus instead on perfect bonding protocols, calibrated curing lights, and precise occlusal adjustments. That’s where the science proves you’ll actually prevent sensitivity.
💰 Business Bites
Turn Google Reviews Into Your 24/7 New Patient Magnet
Google reviews aren’t just a vanity metric—they’re one of the most powerful (and free) marketing tools you have. Here’s how to make them work for you:
Ask Every Happy Patient – The easiest time to get a review is right after a positive appointment. Have your front desk team say, “It would mean a lot if you could share your experience on Google.”
Make It Frictionless – Use a short, direct link in a text or email so patients don’t have to search for you.
Reply to Every Review – Show gratitude for good ones and professionalism for the occasional bad one. It builds trust with future patients.
Train Your Team to Spot Review Moments – Hygienist hears “I love coming here”? That’s the moment to invite a review.
Track & Celebrate Progress – Set a goal (e.g., 20 new reviews per month) and share the wins in team meetings.
The more high-quality, recent reviews you have, the higher you’ll rank locally—meaning more patients find you before they find your competition.
🤯 Productive Pearls
🥅 Set a Daily Production Goal—and Make It Non-Negotiable
Sometimes success in a practice is as simple as knowing exactly what number you’re chasing and working hard to hit it every single day. You’d be surprised how few dentists actually have a specific target in mind—let alone track it in real time. Break your monthly production goal into daily targets, share it with your team each morning, and check progress at lunch. When everyone knows the goal and feels responsible for hitting it, the day’s schedule becomes a mission, not just a list of appointments.
💉 Mental Anesthesia
🤝 Got a Question? Got a Friend? 🤝
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