The DMD Check-Up: Dentist Sues Ex-Colleague Over Alleged Fake Reviews

This week's list of must-read news stories for dentists includes:

• Dentists Sue Over Allegedly Fake Online Reviews (NJ.com)

“Two dentists who worked together in New Jersey are embroiled in a lawsuit with one practitioner claiming the other posted defamatory reviews about him online in an effort to destroy his reputation, according to a lawsuit filed in Bergen County.”

• Obamacare, Trumpcare, and Your Mouth (Health Affairs)

“There is major change ahead for the U.S. health care system. How the mouth will be treated remains to be seen,” according to this report from a top health analyst. “Evidence points to several policy priorities that should be preserved or implemented in order to enhance access to dental care and promote oral health in state and federal policy going forward.”

• Pat Cuts for Dentist in Massachusetts (Mass Live)

“Delta Dental, the largest provider of dental benefits in the state, is preparing for a change that will mean lower rates for employers and their workers — but also lower reimbursements for dentists.” “They are driving a wedge between the patient and the dentist,” said the president of the Massachusetts Dental Society.

• Octogenarian Dentist Still Going Strong (Today)

Along with a compelling profile of Dr. Tom Hand, “an 81-year-old dentist who has practiced for 58 years and sees no reason to retire,” comes some wise advice from Jean Chatzky, who tells of “the benefits of continuing to work after traditional retirement age.”

• Regular Dental Visits in Decline (ABC 3340)

“The percentage of people who say they've visited the dentist in the past year has dropped from 44.5 percent to 42.1 percent,” according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. “The goal of the Healthy People 2020 initiative is to have 49 percent of people visiting a dentist at least every year.”

• What Your Dentist Really Wants You to Know (Knowledge Science Report)

Here’s a quality patient education piece: “From brushing to bad breath, knowing these eight facts, provided by William Wathen, DMD, associate professor at the Texas A&M University Baylor College of Dentistry, will make both you and your dentist smile at your next appointment.”

• Popular Toddler Teething Toy Has Mold (Good Housekeeping)

In light of recent reports of parents finding mold growing inside of a popular toddler teething toy, pediatric dentist Dr. Dana Chianese will no longer use or recommend teething toys to parents. "It still hurts my heart to know that for months I allowed my babies to chew on moldy toys," explains the New Jersey dentist.

• Dentist’s Annual Earnings Are Stable (DrBicuspid)

“Earnings for general dentists in the U.S. remained stable in 2015, but they appear unlikely to return to prerecession growth levels, according to a new research brief by the ADA's Health Policy Institute.” Also, “general dentists reported being busier, but there is still significant unused capacity in the dental care system.” Average net income for general dentists, $174,780; for specialists, $320,460.