The DMD Top 5 for the Week Ending August 3, 2017

Dental therapy, the worst countries for oral health and a business-minded prosthodontist: These stories are among the most popular on our website this week. Catch up on what you missed while you were filling cavities.

1. Dental Therapy: It's Advantages and Downfalls The role of dental therapy in dentistry is a contentious issue that has policy makers and dentists at odds with one another. While dental therapists can help in the effort to provide care to the underserved, many experts say that they can be used inappropriately by DSOs looking to save on dentists' salaries, among other problems. Continue below for DMD's comprehensive look at dental therapy and what it can — or cannot — offer in the United States.

2. 5 Countries with the Worst Oral Health Oral disease is a health crisis that leaves its mark on communities around the globe. Though staggering regional oral health disparities exist in the U.S., its overall rate of toothlessness and decay comes nowhere close to these five countries. Take a look below to find out which nations are affected the most by poor oral health.

3. From Accounting to Dentistry, Prosthodontist Benefits from Business Acumen Chicago-area prosthodontist Anthony LaVacca, D.M.D., F.A.C.P., F.I.C.O.I., has built a successful practice by creating a full dental destination for his patients. But it’s his undergraduate degree in accounting that has afforded him the business background to effectively grow his practice.

4. Openings in Your Schedule? Here's Why The business side of dentistry can be a struggle to get a handle on for many practice owners, and when patients aren't flowing in, it can lead any dentist to self-doubt. What am I doing wrong? Why aren't my patients returning? Dr. Mike Abernathy, a veteran of dentistry, has a few pointers on how to fix your patient problems.

5. 7 Estate Planning Moves to Make Now Life is full of unexpected surprises, and unfortunately, death is one of them. Though you may not be ill or expect it to come, death does not cater to our plans. That's why it's important to make sure your assets are taken care of in the event something happens to you. Continue below for crucial estate planning tips.

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