How dental videos help patients better understand oral hygiene instructions

In many cases the lack of a proper oral hygiene has led to the need for a prosthetic treatment. The lack of motivation is often a result of the fact that the patient didn't understand the causal connection between the bad oral hygiene and present oral situation. That is the reason why for me, making a new crown, bridge or implant is not enough: the patient has to be involved in the treatment by learning, improving and sustaining their post-procedural hygiene.

 

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Pancake Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday better known as pancake Tuesday falls this year on February 28th, and it is usually celebrated with stacks of pancakes or crepes, drizzled in delicious sauces and toppings.
Pancakes are traditionally eaten today because they contain fat, butter and eggs which were forbidden during Lent. Pancakes don’t have to be topped full of sugar they can be filled with healthy savoury goodies like cheese ham spinach tomatoes and mushrooms or fruit & yogurt.

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Evidence-Based Dentistry Workshop Invitation

Discussion on Dental Sealant Guidelines

Identifying and dealing with depression

In the 2015 ADA Dentist Health and Wellness Survey, a total of 11 percent were diagnosed with depression, 6 percent were diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, and 4 percent were identified as suffering from panic attacks, according to the ADA Center for Professional Success.

Of those surveyed, 28 percent of dentists sought help for their mental health disorder, 44 percent believed that they could solve their own problems and did not seek professional help.

The best way to support a colleague suffering from depression is to encourage them to seek help. The ADA has prepared a resource guide that identifies signs and symptoms a person battling with depression may present.

Signs and symptoms of depression include:

• Doesn’t seem to care about anything anymore.
• Is uncharacteristically sad, irritable, short-tempered, critical or moody.
• Has lost interest in work, hobbies and other pleasurable activities.
• Talks about feeling “helpless” or “hopeless.”
• Expresses a negative outlook on life.
• Frequently complains of aches and pains, such as headaches, stomach problems and back pain.
• Complains of feeling tired and drained all the time.
• Has withdrawn from friends, family and other social activities.
• Sleeps less than usual or oversleeps.
• Eats more or less than usual, and has recently gained or lost weight.
• Has become indecisive, forgetful or disorganized.
• Drinks more or abuses drugs, including prescription medications.

You will also find some tips to encourage a colleague to seek help.

The ADA’s Health and Wellness Program is here to help. Please contact Alison Bramhall at bramhalla@ada.org or 312.440.2622

Separation anxiety: 5 tips for balancing work life and personal life

Sep-a-rate.

Just separate your work and your personal life. We say this to others and others say it to us as if we can push a button to turn it on or turn it off. To a certain extent separating is a necessity in the day-to-day life of any dentist or dental professional. We cannot think about the death of a loved one or a relationship that is ending during a crown prep or midextraction. It’s dangerous to have our thoughts elsewhere, and it’s not fair to our patients to lose focus on their needs.

So, yes, we do have to separate. But, there are down times — even if it is only during a brief hand washing between patients. There is space. There is space to think about last night’s argument or yesterday’s missed softball game. There is time to think about a newborn’s needs or a loved one’s suffering. We can separate, but it’s not easy, and to think we can do it 100 percent of the time is ludicrous.

As a matter of fact, it’s stressful to separate all of the time.

What can we do?

After practicing for 18 years and working with others in practice, I offer my top five tips to help you deal with separation dilemmas.

As a dentist, it is difficult to find a substitute, especially if we are in a solo practice. In our minds, “the show must go on” or a lot of rescheduling has to occur. Here are ways to keep the show going without releasing too much cortisol:

1. Leave space in your schedule for medical and health appointments (or your kids’ appointments if you are the one in charge of family members’ schedules). Many people wonder why dentists take a day off during the week. This is why. If the time is not spent working on the business side of our practices, it can be spent working on our health. By working 8-5 Monday-Friday, there is little time left to make it to appointments. Perhaps YOU have no appointments or health issues to worry about, but many of your team members are working moms, and they have appointments to get to or get their kids to as well. This space allows for the much needed flexibility so many of our team members need and want. Furthermore, nothing causes more stress than an unanticipated leave of absence from one of our teammates. When there is no flexibility in the schedule, team members often have to take whatever appointments are available or feel pressured to wait to go to a physician. We know what happens when we delay health care: bigger and more costly problems occur. This preventive approach to health care should be modeled in our practices to help everyone separate as needed. It’s easier to focus on our work when we know we have a day to catch up on appointments, errands or wellness routines.
2. Plan ahead for absolute schedule conflicts. It is always easier to add more time back in the schedule than it is to retract a schedule full of patients. For a return from elective surgeries, maternity/paternity leaves, and family care needs, lighten the schedule as much as possible the first few weeks. Come back in after these absences on a part-time basis. Ease your way back in. As I said, it’s easier to add more time than to reschedule many patients. Consider working shorter hours at first, too. Our necks and backs are typically out of shape after an extended time away.
3. Practice some type of mental stillness at least weekly, if not daily. I am a big fan of mindfulness-based stress reduction techniques, but tai chi or simple meditation are other options when trying to separate work from a stressful home life. These types of practices help us learn to stay in the moment and keep focused on what is occurring each minute rather than what happened yesterday or what could happen tomorrow. When we train our brains to focus on things we can control in the present moment, it is easier to separate from the chaos going on in our personal lives.
4. Find and maintain healthy, supportive relationships. Our work can be stressful and demanding. We need partners and friends who understand our work environments and support our passions. In one of my practices, a hygienist had what we perceived to be unsupportive spouse. She constantly managed everything and everyone in her household. She had little energy left to give at work and had little patience left to share with our team. Small conflicts seemed like unmanageable conflicts to her. Once we talked about these concerns, she actually realized she could be more successful in both areas if she delegated more tasks and engaged her family members in the duties that she always completed. She actually had a supportive spouse and children. They simply did not know exactly how to help. Because we are health care professionals, our strength of caring for others can become our Achilles’ heel if left unchecked. We have to express our issues, recognize our inabilities to manage and care for everything and everyone, and ask for help when needed. If we have unsupportive family members who do not help us when asked or when needed, that can also lead to problems at our work places. Our busy home lifestyles often require additional support from children, spouses, care providers, housekeepers, nannies and other kinds of supportive helpers.
5. Allow some time to talk during work hours. This goes against every vigilant work ethic I learned about as I grew up. “When you are at work, you work,” my dad would say. And, looking back, I still think this is a decent piece of advice to tell your kids as they start out in the working world. But, there is also a need for teams to get to know one another. It doesn’t mean everyone stands in the break room for a half hour, but it might mean there are scheduled times to talk — like during team meetings or holiday lunches or birthday celebrations. These moments allow home and work lives to merge a bit more than when we try to completely separate the two.

Separation is difficult, and there are painful times in our lives that make it nearly impossible. Our home lives bleed into our work lives and vice versa. Being conscious of these balancing acts is one way to ensure the priorities remain in the right places and at the right times. I accept that life is never in complete balance. And, instead of fighting the imbalance with self-defeating thoughts, or spending sleepless nights trying to make one area more even with the other side, I accept that this desire to have complete work-life balance is never going to be perfect. Sometimes both places are in need, and during those times, it’s important to reach out for help and delegate as many tasks as possible. Being a professional at home and at work requires planning, a willingness to let go of the desire to personally complete each task and an ability to surround yourself with an amazing support team. With these tips in mind, I hope you find more ways to manage the challenges and stressors that will surely arise while striving to be the best at home and be the best at work.

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the Winter 2017 issue of Dental Practice Success. It was written by Dr. Lisa Knowles, a practicing dentist, dental educator, consultant and speaker in Michigan. Sign up for her weekly email, Thirsty Thursdays, at http://ift.tt/1RD1gAL or learn more her speaking options for your association, team or study club.

Webinar: Advocacy and third party issues

Dental benefits and third party issues are typically rated as one of the most critical concerns confronting dentists. ADA staff often receive questions as to what the ADA is doing to help dentists when it comes to working with dental benefit plans. The ADA has been and continues to be extremely active in advocating for dentistry.

In this webinar you will learn what ADA is doing at both the federal and state levels regarding proposed legislation. You will learn how to receive individual assistance and receive information on the many valuable resources the ADA has to assist and educate dental offices on dental benefits issues. In addition, a question and answer period will follow.

ADA leadership has heard your feedback on these issues and this webinar is among the many tactics we are employing as part of our coordinated communications plan on these issues. We look forward to your participation.

To view the webinar, click here.

Dennis McHugh is the manager of the American Dental Association’s Dental Benefit Information Service and works in the Practice Institute’s Center for Dental Benefits, Coding and Quality (CDBCQ).  CDBCQ is the ADA agency responsible for promoting resources and informaton on dental benefit plans to employers and member dentists. In addition, CDBCQ responds to requests and helps resolve problems from member dentists regarding concerns with third party payers.  He has been with the ADA for 16 years and prior to that spent 7 years working for the American Association of Orthodontists.

Paul O’Connor is the Senior Legislative Liaison in the Department of State Government Affairs (DSGA). DSGA provides advocacy and research support for state and local dental societies and is arranged by assigning subject areas to staff to bolster a level of expertise. Paul focuses primarily on access-to-dental care issues including state-level public policy as it affects public financing for dental coverage and community water fluoridation. He also works with state legislative and regulatory issues as they pertain to third party/commercial dental benefits subject matter. DSGA’s issue coverage responsibilities are established to assist the profession in advocating in support of public policy that is beneficial for dentists and their patients. Prior to joining the ADA in 2000, Paul was employed with the Indiana House of Representatives for eleven years where he focused much of his work on healthcare policy and political campaigns.

Margo Klosterman is a Congressional Lobbyist in the Washington, DC office and she will discuss ADA advocacy efforts at the federal level.

Behind-the-Scenes: A Facebook Live conversation on creating clinical practice guidelines

Chances are you’ve read ADA Clinical Practice Guidelines before, but have you ever wondered who the authors are or what the process is for creating them?

Join us for ADA’s first Facebook Live event on February 22 at 5:30 p.m. CST as Dr. Suhail Mohiuddin, owner and general dentist at Dentologie, chats with Dr. Margherita Fontana, a professor at the University Of Michigan School Of Dentistry.

The pair will engage in a conversation where viewers can learn more about Dr.Fontana and her experience as a contributor to the development of the Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline for the Use of Pit-And-Fissure Sealants along with Dr.Mohiuddin and his life as a new dentist.

This interview is a great way to peak behind the curtain to see how ADA member dentists – like you – form the clinical practice guidelines and recommendations you read about.

To join in on the conversation, set your event reminder!

VIDEO: What is Overhead?

I’ve started a new video series called “DE’s Business Lab.”  I’ll explore a practice management topic over the course of a few short videos.  First up… overhead.  Enjoy!

Click here to view the embedded video.

4 Ways To Keep Your Kid’s Tooth Enamel Strong

Enamel is both a thin covering on teeth and the hardest tissue in the human body. It acts as armor against plaque and cavities. While there are many foods and habits that break down enamel, there are also things to protect it and keep it strong.

Follow these 4 steps to help keep tooth enamel strong for a healthier, happier smile!

1. Limit Sugary Foods and Drinks.
Bacteria forms out of sugars from foods and drinks dissolving the outer surface of tooth enamel. Add candies, cookies, sodas and sweets alike to the special occasion only list. Highly acidic snacks and drinks are also foods to eat in small doses. This doesn’t mean you have to completely restrict these items from kids. Teach them to rinse with tap water after eating sweets to reduce the chance of bacteria forming.

2. Eat Foods That Protect Enamel

Not all foods and drinks are damaging to enamel. Calcium-rich foods like yogurt or cheese actually protect the enamel and promote healthy teeth. Some other enamel strengtheners include kiwi, snap peas and sugarless chewing gum. Switching to these types of snacks are good for their overall health as well.

3. Avoid Over-Brushing

While it’s very important to brush and floss regularly, be sure to not over-brush the teeth. Follow these steps on how to brush children’s teeth. Make sure to use a soft-bristled toothbrush in a back-and-forth gentle motion with short strokes. Take the time to teach your children to adopt the habit of brushing while also showing them proper technique. There are videos online to help show your kids what proper brushing looks like, as well. It might be a frustrating and lengthy process at first, but the earlier you start teaching your kids how to brush, the more likely they will keep good oral health habits.

4. Rinse after Meals

Rinsing after each meal helps remove leftover food particles. This month, in celebration of National Children’s Dental Health Month, choose tap water to rinse teeth for a sparkling smile. Plain water is the best option for kids’ beverages.

Bonus Tip: Visit Our Office

Want to learn more ways to keep kids’ teeth strong, healthy and bright? Book your child’s dental check up and talk directly with our loving staff and experienced doctors for one-on-one answers! We’ll be happy to answer any of your, or their, questions, explain brushing technique, talk with them about food selection, and encourage them to polish their smiles!

Dentologie ‘experience map’ shows road to patient satisfaction

When do patients begin forming impressions about your dental practice? When making their first appointment online or by phone?

Dentologie cofounders: Drs. Suhail Mohiuddin, Oussama Founas and Hany Kurdi.

How about their final impressions of their overall dental experience? Are those solidified during the last appointment of a treatment plan? Or when the patient learns whether insurance will cover their treatment?

According to the three new dentists who founded Dentologie, a fast-growing Chicago practice, patients’ impressions are a result of interactions that happen long before a patient begins treatment and well after care has been provided. In fact, they say that impressions can begin as soon as a patient looks in the bathroom mirror and notices that his or her teeth just aren’t as white as they used to be, or when a dental commercial evokes a memory of their last appointment.

“Considering how patient/dental office impressions are ingrained into everyday life with interactions before, during and after a dental visit is critical to building a practice,” said Dr. Suhail Mohiuddin. He and his Dentologie cofounders, Dr. Oussama Founas and Dr. Hany Kurdi, strive to evaluate all such interactions. They include touch points like what a patient is thinking about the dental floss he or she received at their last appointment when using it before bed or her reaction to an email from the dental office she opens while at work. What are patients thinking when reflecting on the appearance of their smiles or when talking about dentist recommendations with acquaintances or friends? All are interactions the Dentologie team aims to improve for their patients.

As scientists, they know only too well that accurately measuring successes and failures is essential to assessing patient satisfaction. They saw an experience map published online by Starbucks and agreed it was just the kind of tool they could develop for their practice to enhance every aspect of patient experience. Dentologie dentists and all members of the dental team focus on making interactions in each column positive for patients.

“We play devil’s advocate,” said Dr. Founas. “What would we want out of each and every interaction. For example, we go online and make fake appointments to see how the scheduling is working. If we’re not happy with it, we know the patients won’t be either.”

Dr. Kurdi said they take the position that there can always be a better way to do something, and the map helps them consider specific areas in which to do that. “We’re constantly re-evaluating every process so patients don’t have to do it,” he said. “That means checking our pride at the door.”

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the Winter 2017 issue of Dental Practice Success. It was written by Arlene Furlong, consulting editor of Dental Practice Success and a Chicago-based freelance journalist specializing in practice and research news for dental and medical professionals. She can be reached at furlonga@ada.org or arlfurl@aol.com.

What’s on your dental bucket list?

Travel to all seven continents? Run with the bulls in Spain? See the new wonders of the world? Bucket lists can help us keep track of the loftiest of goals and inspire us to make the most of our experiences.

For the past two years, I have had the opportunity to make some headway on my “dental bucket list”. Here are three of my top items:

Be featured as a dentist in someone’s drawing

As a pre-dental student, I remember volunteering at an elementary school helping with dental screenings. As I walked through the halls, a drawing of a boy holding his tooth caught my eye. I could only hope that one day, I’d make a guest appearance in someone’s show and tell. This picture came courtesy of a team member after I had treated her daughter by slipping out a baby tooth. As soon as the picture loaded on my phone, my heart immediately melted. Please note the accuracy of my hair, the glasses, and my pumpkin shoes.

Volunteer with my dental team at OKMOM (Oklahoma Mission of Mercy)

They say it’s not work if you love what you do. My first experience with MOM took place in Tulsa, OK at their inaugural event in 2010. After volunteering as a pre-dental and a dental student for the past eight years, 2017 let me check another item off my dental bucket list by serving alongside my team!

My heart is so full knowing I spend my days working with a generous and loving dental family willing to travel hours across the state and take time from their loved ones and personal commitments to serve fellow Oklahomans in need.

Be invited to speak at a large dental conference

Last year, I had the opportunity to share my story at the 2016 ADA Opening Session. While having had past public speaking experience, I have never been a part of such a production nor address such a large audience. The ADA staff was so incredibly supportive which helped make taking the stage an experience that I’ll never forget. I never take opportunities like this for granted. I’m forever thankful for my time with the American Student Dental Association and the ADA for empowering me to step out of my comfort zone and to always keep moving forward.

Do you have a dental bucket list? What are the moments that you look forward to experiencing the most? What’s on your list?

Dr. Daryn Lu is a New Dentist Now guest blogger and a general dentist in Shawnee, Oklahoma. He is a member of the ADA, Oklahoma Dental Association and Oklahoma County Dental Society. A 2015 graduate from the University of Oklahoma College of Dentistry, Daryn’s passion for his profession shows through his extensive history within organized dentistry. From an eager predental member of the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) to a passionate local, district, and national volunteer leader — the depth of his experiences has helped shape him as a dental professional and lifelong learner. In his spare time, Daryn is an avid traveler, self-proclaimed foodie, and social media junkie. He lives to travel, travels to eat and shares foodie pictures on your newsfeed.

Improved documentation with dental video

The documentation routines of daily dentistry should be simple, clear and flexible: the details of patient specific findings and  operations should be easily at hand any time. But is this the reality of an average dental practice of today?

My Child Has a Toothache. Should I Call the Dentist?

Career Choices

My parents grew up during the Great Depression. My father, an exceptionally bright man, never went past grade 10 due to the financial pressures and costs associated with trying to keep him in school. He dreamt about being a lawyer but never became one; instead, he became a salesman in the men’s and boys’ fashion industry. My parents grew up in a time with many others who were immigrants who had

Key to visibility: Marketing your practice online can be easy, affordable and fun

Getting more patients in the chair and gaining more recognition in the community are goals for many dental practices in 2017.

Nearly half of Dental Practice Success readers surveyed (49.4%) in the DPS New Year’s Practice Resolutions survey said they wanted to increase their patient base with new marketing initiatives, including Dr. Adam R. Bowen, a private practitioner in Manhattan, Kansas, who launched his practice 15 months ago after working for five years in a community health center.

Bowen Family Dentistry already has an interactive website and a vibrant Facebook page, but Dr. Bowen would like to build on his online presence with some advertising and outreach to patients who are looking for cosmetic/esthetic dental treatments.

“I think it is paramount to have a presence online,” said Dr. Bowen, a 2010 graduate of the University of Missouri – Kansas City School of Dentistry. “I know how my wife and I search whenever we need a new service provider. We go straight to Google and start checking them out online. From what I read in dental publications and conversing with colleagues, I think many people in their 40s and younger will check you out online before they make the call. I think people just want to get to know you. They may be shopping around, too.”

Dr. Bowen said his website is designed to be a more formal contact point with patients and potential patients and details the kinds of treatment he offers, what insurance plans he participates in and other practical information. He worked with his website developer to help guide search engines to his site. He also uses Facebook to showcase his personality and his office’s atmosphere as well as to have a presence in his community.

“Social media is where I choose to let patients get to know us better and have a little more fun,” Dr. Bowen said. “Sometimes it takes multiple ‘touches’ with you or your presence before a person will make an appointment. Social media is just another way to let them know we are here and ready for them. Social media advertising is also inexpensive compared to a newspaper or radio ad, which can be ignored. When that ad shows up in your Facebook feed it at least gets seen. I just have to develop an ad that’s worth clicking on.”

“Marketing is the key to visibility,” said Rita Zamora, a social media marketing specialist in Boulder, Colorado, with more than 20 years of experience in working with dental professionals. “In the past, dentists only needed Yellow Pages ads or postcard campaigns (traditional marketing) when they wanted new patients. Today, dentists of all ages and career stages need a robust online presence in order to be found. Social media, online review and listing sites have replaced phone books and many traditional tools. Without a healthy online presence, practices lack basic visibility and this in turn affects viability. Marketing is no longer used just to attract new patients. It has also become an essential visibility and communication tool for patients to find and contact your practice.”

Ms. Zamora offers three easy, effective and affordable marketing ideas for dental practices:

• The fortune’s in your follow up. I was always amazed how many times I heard patients say, “I was just waiting for you to follow up with me to schedule my treatment appointment.” Use your patient’s preferred method of communication (text, email or phone call) to follow up and fill your schedule. (Learn more about rules governing calls or texts to patients at the ADA Center for Professional Success website.)
• Online reviews attract new patients. Of all the marketing strategies available, online reviews are among the most powerful. They not only help attract new patients, they also speak volumes for your practice credibility. There are a variety of options to successfully grow reviews, which may involve your team inviting reviews or automated technology to survey patients for you.
• Grow more of the dentistry you love. Many practices actively use social media, yet few actively promote the type of dentistry they want to do more of. In addition to showing your human side on social media, be sure to include content about the type of dentistry you enjoy and want to do more of. Whether you’d like to see more dental implant or Invisalign patients, if you aren’t actively sharing that with your network, you are missing valuable marketing opportunities.

Dr. Bowen has set some specific goals for increasing his online marketing efforts this year and plans to reach out to patients interested in cosmetic/esthetic services. He will work with his website developer to discuss online advertising, nail down a budget and how to fine tune his website’s functionality.

“For 2017, I want to utilize online marketing to increase esthetic/cosmetic cases,” said Dr. Bowen. “I have a target patient in mind and I want to design ways to direct that patient to our website. I still have a lot to learn in this regard but I think I have a solid foundation and we will proceed from there. I chose to focus on building up my cosmetic/esthetic practice because I am already equipped and trained to do it and I enjoy it.”

Editor’s note: This article was originally published in the Winter 2017 issue of Dental Practice Success. It was written by Stacie Crozier is editorial director for digital content for ADA Publishing. She can be reached at croziers@ada.org. Rita Zamora is an international speaker and consultant on social media marketing and online reputation. She and her team specialize in training and support for dental professionals across the U.S. and internationally. For more information, visit www.RitaZamora.com.

 

Wake-up Call: Fixing Your Employee Cell Phone Policy

Many of us are attached to our cell phones and a tap or two away from our social media accounts 24/7 these days—including your employees! This poses unique challenges to dental practices attempting to regulate employee behavior on the job.

Unlike so many other businesses, dentists and practice managers have to worry about upholding standards of patient care, complying with HIPAA and keeping Protected Health Information (PHI) safe, confidentiality requirements, and all sorts of other layers of responsibility.

With all that on the line, it’s clear that you need a clear and firm policy regarding cell phone use in your practice. But…wouldn’t it be easier just to tell employees they can’t use their phones…or even to take them all away during the workday?

Beware: Cell phone confiscation makes for an unlawful policy

Lately, I’ve noticed a trend of dentists and managers taking more and more extreme measures to keep employees off their phones while at work, including confiscation policies like this one: “Employees must place all cell phones in the basket upon arriving at work.” And I understand the temptation! But there’s a problem with this approach: It’s not great HR, and even worse, it’s unlawful.

Policies like this sound like they might be effective, but recent decisions by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) have found these types of policies to be unlawful. Why? They may discourage or even interfere with an employee’s right to use their cell phones, during break times, to communicate about workplace conditions with fellow employees, union reps, lawyers, or regulating bodies.

You are reading this correctly: Employers not only can’t restrict an employee from discussing their wages and working conditions with one another, you can’t even have a policy that may discourage an employee from exercising those legally protected rights!

Not only that, but employees are adults—even if not all of them act that way. Cell phone confiscation policies and outright bans are a bit too parental, and can trigger a backlash of rebellious discontent that is not worth the effort.

So, what’s the wisest alternative to keep employees off their phones when they should be working?

From an HR perspective, there’s no single easy answer that fits all practices. An effective employee cell phone policy needs to cover many different elements and scenarios:

• Cell phones should not be used in front of patients or at the front desk
• Cell phones should not be used when employees are expected to be working (Note, you can’t restrict cell phones to only “off the clock” because breaks of 20 minutes or less should be paid, and thus are on the clock).
• Cell phones should only be used in the break room / outside the practice / etc.
• And more…

And each office setup is different, so that’s a challenge, too. Your rules may need adjustment, within the boundaries of what is enforceable in your state.

The hard, scary facts on employee cell phone use

It is not reasonable to expect that phone, text, and social media usage stops cold and your employees’ personal inbox disappears at work just because we, as employers, make a rule. And while our policies should treat employees as the responsible adults that most of them are, those policies do need to be robust, clear, and enforceable in case rules are broken.

Here are some points to consider:

• Legal compliance. Policies must not violate any federal, state or even local laws, especially the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which applies to all employers, regardless of union status. The NLRB, which enforces the NLRA, has been particularly aggressive in recent years.
• Smartphone capabilities. Today’s phones are also cameras and recording devices. They store and transmit images and videos, voice recordings, and data. If an employee snaps a picture of something in your clinical area during break time, do you know your options as an employer?
• What if an employee photographs an OSHA violation? This is important to understand: Employees have protections that allow them to take pictures and videos of workplace conditions—but not to compromise PHI.
• All employees must be fully trained in their HIPAA compliance responsibilities, including the safeguarding of PHI. They should know better than to photograph or post any patient details on social media (even your practice’s) without formal patient authorization, or to discuss patients with anyone not at your practice and who doesn’t have a need to know. Your employees must also understand how very severe the consequences of HIPAA violations can be.

To keep you safe, your cell phone policies need to be thorough without being overly restrictive, and enforceable when you need to discipline or terminate, without treating your employees as children. In short, well-balanced and professionally drafted cell phone and social media policies are essential to protect your practice.

These policies need to be created by an expert, so call us or contact your favorite attorney for help, and it doesn’t hurt to have expert advice on hand to know how to legally enforce them in any difficult situation.

Meet Dr. Carrie Dunlap

Credentials, experience, and associations are extremely important aspects to look for in a pediatric dentist. What makes one stand out from the other? WHO they are. Our Doctor Spotlight series allows our tiny patients and parents to get a glimpse into the doctors’ lives. Come get to know us!

Meet Dr. Carrie Dunlap

Dr. Dunlap received her Doctor of Dental Surgery in 2004 from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Fueling her passion for pediatric dentistry, she participated in extramural rotations at the Oral Surgery Department at UNC and the Pediatric Dental Clinics of Cumberland and Orange counties. Being a mother of three children, Dr. Dunlap treats children with patience, compassion, and the same care as if each one is her own.

Why did you decide to focus on pediatric dentistry rather than general dentistry?

I practiced for two years in a general dental practice before joining Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry in 2006. Throughout those two years, I realized that I was called to work with children. Children have always held a special place in my heart. I started babysitting around age 12 and enjoyed being around children. Kids are so full of life, humor, and joy. I can relate to them on many levels and feel so comfortable around kids of all ages.

Do you have kids?

I am the proud parent of 3 children. My son Carson is 13. I also have a 12-year-old daughter, Caroline, and a 7-year-old daughter, Campbell. Carson loves all sports, especially baseball, football, and basketball. Caroline loves to dance competitively and play basketball. Campbell enjoys drawing, dance, and playing with her friends.

What are some of your “tricks” to help ease kids’ fears about their dental visits?

I talk to kids in a way that they will understand and that makes them feel comfortable. Kids want to know what is going on when they are in the dental chair. I explain things to them step-by-step while I am completing a procedure. I find out each child’s unique interest and go from there. If they like a certain princess like Elsa, then they get an “Elsa tooth” that day. The toothbrush “races” on their teeth, like Lightning McQueen, to make it shiny. If they’re a Batman fan, they get a “Batman tooth.”

When giving local anesthetic, I tell them we are using “sleepy juice” to put their tooth to sleep, and they may even hear their tooth “snore.” If I need a longer distraction, I tell the story of Pete the Cat. It’s a fantastic children’s book where Pete’s shoes change color depending on what he steps in. I tell the child what Pete stepped in and they will guess what color his shoes turned.

What’s the best part of your day?

The best part of my day is putting my youngest child Campbell to bed. We do a page out of a seek-and-find book and read. I used to read to her, but now she is reading to me! Campbell is a talker and when I’m putting her to bed, she tells me all about her day.

What’s your favorite kids’ show?

My favorite cartoon is Tom and Jerry. I like that it is a calm and quiet show. It’s not really a kids’ show, but my girls and I like to watch Cupcake Wars. We love to bake and it’s neat to see all the cool things they make on that show.

What’s your favorite color?

Probably Carolina blue for obvious reasons or aqua and teal because they remind me of a tropical ocean.

Do you have a sweet tooth? If so, what’s your favorite sweet?

I love sweets a bit too much! My absolute favorite sweet treat is a really good birthday cake. It must be really good to be worth the splurge. My husband has learned the difference between good cake and bad cake. The icing is my favorite!

Have you always wanted to be a dentist? If not, what did you want to be as a kid?

I always knew I would likely do something in the medical field. I always loved biology, math, and health. My first real job was in a dental office when I was only 14. I worked there from age 14 through college. This job provided me the opportunity to learn all aspects of a dental office. I knew it would take hard work to obtain the goal, but this experience helped me to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I enjoyed developing relationships with patients through the years while working in the practice and saw the positive impact I could have on people.

Do you have a role model or a mentor? Why do you look up to them?

Many people have helped shape me into the person I am today. The most influential has been my parents and my sister. My parents constantly sacrificed to provide me with many opportunities. They taught me to have a strong work ethic and to believe in myself. With these two things, any goal I have can be accomplished. They taught me to put God first in all I do and the rest will fall into place. My sister is someone I will always look up to. She is a wonderful mother to three girls and has so much wisdom to offer. She is an encourager to everyone around her and has such a gentle spirit.

As far as my mentor in dentistry, I may not have ended up in the dental profession if it weren’t for Dean Clodfelter, DMD, who gave me my first job in a dental office. He allowed me to work at the young age of 14 in his practice and gave me the opportunity to really understand what being a dentist involved.

What is your favorite sports team?

My favorite sports teams are any team my kids play on. Those are my most favorite games to watch. Our family also enjoys going to the Carolina Panther games. We have many fond memories from those games.

Finish this sentence: When I was a kid… my dad would grow corn to give me and my sister a summer job. After the corn was fully grown, my sister and I would have to wake up at 5:00 am to pick the corn. Then, we would sit by the side of the road to sell it. We got to keep the money we made. It was in the heat of the summer, and at the time, I didn’t enjoy it. Looking back, I realize the lesson of the value of hard work that it taught me.

Tips for maintaining healthy eating habits

In 2015, the ADA conducted a Member Health and Wellness Survey that polled 2,122 dentists, spouses, and family members, according to the ADA Center for Professional Success. The survey revealed that 9.7 percent had been diagnosed with an eating disorder. Two percent were diagnosed with Bulimia, 5.2 percent were diagnosed with compulsive overeating, and 2.5 percent were diagnosed with anorexia.

Eating disorders affect a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. It is estimated that 20 million women and 10 million men suffer from a significant eating disorder in their lifetime. According to the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2009-2010, almost 70 percent of Americans are overweight or obese. How you handle stress and eating habits can have an impact on healthy living, especially on healthy weight management.

The ADA has tips for developing and maintaining healthy eating habits.

Tips include:

• Healthy eating starts at home with a balanced breakfast. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics recommends eating breakfast consisting of whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables.
• Pack a lunch and be prepared to eat healthier and save money by avoiding fast food restaurants.
• If you must eat out, do some research in advance and locate a restaurant that offers healthy meal options.
• A healthy mid-morning and mid-afternoon snack is a good thing.
• Avoid mindless eating while at your desk or in between patients.
• Remember portion control.
• Read your food labels – nutrition labels are the key to making smarter and healthier food choices.

You can also download a resource sheet that discusses various eating disorders and symptoms along with information for seeking assistance.

When you begin to notice that eating habits are affecting your life, your happiness, and your ability to concentrate, it’s important that you talk to somebody about what you’re going through.

The ADA’s Health and Wellness Program can connect you with the right professionals to get you on the road to recovery. Please contact Alison Bramhall at bramhalla@ada.org or 1-312-440-2622 or review the National Eating Disorders Association searchable Treatment Provider Database to find treatment options in your area.

Transform Your Life by Setting Goals

A goal often has been defined as the terminal point of a journey or a measurable and observable end result. When we think about setting goals, the first thing that usually comes to mind is making a new year’s resolution. If you are like me, then you probably have multiple goals for 2017 and beyond — goals that incorporate your business, family, health and finances and a yearning to serve others;