Natalie Hasselbacher

From dental instruments to dental composites, here's what you missed this week.

On July 6th, a segment called "Who's Hiring Now" aired on ABC's daytime talk show "The View." The segment was geared towards examining the current state of the U.S. job market, featuring a special analysis from guest panelist and financial expert Regina Lewis.

In light of the recent investigative film that examined the flaws in the dental care system, dental professionals from across the country have expressed mixed reactions. FRONTLINE and the Center for Public Integrity were behind the production of the film.

The sterilized, individually packaged single-use instruments boost productivity and reduce operating costs. Cross-contamination and infection control procedures and methods are enhanced during usage, while patients receive high quality care. The label features a red dot that indicates the diamonds have been irradiated.

Cutting back Michael Clair, who had a practice in Fall River, MA, was sentenced to one year in jail for defrauding Medicaid of $130,000, assault and battery, illegally prescribing prescription drugs and witness intimidation charges. The former dentist used sections of paper clips instead of stainless steel posts in root canals in an effort to save money. This guy should have been clipping coupons, not root canals. Return of the Mack

Be yourself Home care compliance and individuality are closely related. Here we take a look at four unique patient personalities and highlight basic essentials that should have a place in their medicine cabinet.

Devlin Limbach, a photographer from Lincoln, NE, gives ordinary dental instruments new, vibrant identities. In one of his photos, the green and blue bristles of a toothbrush resemble an elaborate maze that requires precise navigation. Placed at a different angle, that same toothbrush takes on a stage-like appearance with a blue and green curtain.

Gov. Pat Quinn today visited the University of Illinois at Chicago to announce a $2.8 capital grant that will help the College of Dentistry receive an emergency generator, as well as a new fire alarm and sprinkler systems. The project will also result in new lighting systems, windows and elevators.

Dr. Dan Greenstein has been making those who work in saliva laugh since 1989. The GP from Boca Raton, FL saw his stand-up career take off after gaining exposure from television's America's Funniest People. "I was a winner on America's Funniest People in 1991, which led to a lot of local publicity in the local newspapers, including the Miami Herald," explains Greenstein.

Often times dentists, along with members of their staff, get so wrapped up in providing the best patient care possible they forget to take some time out of the day to focus on their own health and wellness. If you're in Chicago later this month, you should consider registering for the ADA's Conference on Health and Wellness. Read the full press release below.

BiteDownDeals.com is the industry's first daily deal website. Read the full press release below.

Dentists and their lab technicians now have a new innovation at their fingertips that will allow them to communicate better and maximize patient results. Dentists can use Styledent's Dental Rx mobile app to email prescriptions and images to the lab in one step. The new mobile dental application means labs will receive the photos and all the necessary information with no delay. For more information, read the full press release below. Look for a more in-depth article on this technology on our website soon.

We wrote an article back in March covering this topic and received a lot of feedback from those who expressed a need for dental therapy education standards and also those who are strongly opposed to this mid-level practitioner concept. Now that CODA has voted to establish accreditation standards for dental therapy education programs what do you think? Read the full press release below.

Crest Oral-B is accepting nominations for its second annual Pros in the Profession awards program. Pros in the Profession recognizes six dental hygienists who have demonstrated a true passion for making a difference in the lives of their patients. Do you work with an inspiring dental hygienist? Nominate him or her! Read the full press release below...