The DMD Check-Up: Dentists Are 'Missing' the Digital Age

A new survey finds most dentists aren’t living up to best practices when it comes to online marketing. That story tops this week’s DMD Check-Up. Also making the list: How “selfies” can improve oral health techniques and a new study on the connections oral health and cancer.

• Dentists Are Missing the Digital Age (Rockin’ Dental Marketing)

A new survey of US dentists finds that most are well behind in online marketing for their practices. “When dental social media profiles were examined, for example, it was found that only 40-50% of dentists had pages on Yelp, Google+, or Facebook. And the dentists who are on these platforms are often missing vital elements, like patients reviews and contact information.”

• Selfies to Improve Oral Healthcare Skills (EurekAlert)

“Recording smart phone video ‘selfies’ of tooth-brushing can help people learn to improve their oral health care techniques,” according to a new study by Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. Researchers saw an increase in the accuracy of brush strokes, an increase in number of strokes, and an improvement in tooth-brushing skill.

• Anti-Inflammatory Diet Improves Periodontal Health (DrBicsupid.com)

“Switching to a diet focused on reducing inflammation may help those with periodontal disease, according to a small pilot study” published in BMC Oral Health. “The results raise several questions regarding the importance of dental plaque for the development of gingivitis/periodontitis and its impact on therapy.”

• “Fargo” Murder-for Hire, Dental Style (WDAY 6 ABC)

No, not the 1996 dark comedy film by the Coen brothers. This one is about a North Dakota dentist who died in a murder plot devised by his father-in-law nearly seven years ago. The division of his $3.7 million estate is the subject of this news story.

• ”Gold Rush” -- Untrained Cosmetic Dentists Bring Ruined Teeth (Daily Mail)

“A boom in British dentists who offer cosmetic treatments without training is leaving a growing number of patients with ruined teeth,” according to the UK Dental Law and Ethics Forum. “Many of those who claim to be specialists are under qualified general practitioners in search of a quick buck.”

• Most Doctors Fed Up With Medicine (Fierce Healthcare)

Dentists wondering how their colleagues in healthcare are doing might not want to know. The majority of US physicians (55%) say they have experienced burnout, feel overworked, and want more time to spend with patients and less with EMRs, according to a new survey by locumstory.com. And nearly two-third of physicians say they are overworked.

• Dentists Seek More Time for Translation Rules Compliance (Slator)

“A federal law requiring translation services for limited English proficiency patients has left US dentists scrambling to find a solution.” In this report from Arizona, “dentists have joined several national dental associations in pleading for more time to comply. The translation requirement, part of Affordable Care Act nondiscrimination provisions, came into effect in July.

• HIPAA and mHealth: Giving Dentists Something to Chew On (mHealth Intelligence)

“Many of today's dental practice are all digital—and easily susceptible to a HIPAA violation. But do dentists realize that improper mHealth use could lead to a million dollar fine?” Here’s a timely report on the things dentists must know about privacy guidelines when using smartphones or other mobile health devices.

• How Teeth Brushing Could Prevent Cancer (Daily Mail)

“Brushing your teeth regularly could help to prevent bowel cancer,” according to new research published in Cell Growth and Microbe. “This is because the mouth bacteria that cause bleeding gums can travel via the blood to the bowel where they could trigger cancer or worsen existing tumors.”