The top 10 most-read dental articles of 2013

Here’s a breakdown of the 10 articles you loved most in 2013. Re-read your favorites and be sure to check out any you may have missed.

How did we decide? These 10 articles generated the most views over the last year.

10. Have you ever been afraid of a patient?

Most of the patients who walk through your practice door each day are friendly, well-mannered people who respect your practice and what you do. They may not listen to every home care suggestion or accept every treatment plan, but they’re willing to work with you and want to improve their oral health.

But there are other patients who are on edge. Maybe they are stressed, having trouble making ends meet at home, or simply in pain. Whatever the issue, they could snap at any moment and cause a scene in your practice-maybe even scare your team and your other patients.

by Renee Knight, Managing Editor

9. Top 5 new product announcements in pediatric dentistry

In recent years, there have been many advances in key areas related to pediatric dentistry such as trends in pediatric procedures and dental materials, caries detection tools, early interventions to arrest disease progression and more.

Here, we’ve listed some of the most popular and treatment-enhancing pediatric advancements that have come down the pipeline.

by Greta Lieske

8. A dental patient shares his experience with Philips Sonicare AirFloss

Daniel G. Lebryk took to Amazon.com to boast about how the Philips Sonicare AirFloss has provided him with an alternative to flossing that works.

Compiled by Thais Carter

7. This is what your patients won’t say to your face

In the age of social media, nothing is sacred ... not even the dentist chair. Want to know what your patients are really thinking during an appointment? They may say, “Everything is going great” and “I feel fine,” but here’s the truth courtesy of Instagram.

by Greta Lieske

6. The absolute best in curing light technologies

We’ve seen a lot of changes in the way we provide treatment since the mid-1990s or so. While there were some advances in dentistry before that time, I truly believe the pure amount of changes we have seen in the last 10-20 years in our profession may well be more than there ever were before that time.

The last decade has seen a tremendous change in curing technology with the majority of the advances occurring in the last 5 years or so.

by DPR Technology Editor Dr. John Flucke

5. 6 tips on how to work with an upset patient or employee

At anytime during the work day, you could be dealing with an upset person on the phone -a patient, co-worker, employee. Ginny Hegarty, president of Dental Practice Development Inc., gives you tips on how to handle these difficult situations.

Compiled by Greta Lieske

4. The changing role of the dental office manager

“So what do you do?” How many times have you met a new person and answered this question? Most likely, you just tell him or her you’re an office manager and the conversation moves along.

But when is the last time you stopped to think about what you really do? And what’s more, have you thought about how rapidly your job is changing right now?

by Jill Nesbitt, MBA

3. 8 signs it’s time to fire a patient

Patients are the lifeblood of your practice. They’re the reason you became a dentist, and it’s your job to help them reach optimal oral health, and to ensure they’re happy with the bright, confident smile you helped create and protect.

But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with patients who disrespect your time or who don’t see the value in the dentistry you offer. Sometimes, you have to let go of a patient who is bringing negative energy to your practice and causing stress to you and your team.

by Renee Knight

2. A clinician reviews 3M ESPE’s Clinpro 5000 anti-cavity toothpaste

Dr. Tim Burke noticed something right away when he began using 3M ESPE’s Clinpro 5000 anti-cavity toothpaste about a year-and-a-half ago: His patients were actually complying with their home care.

by Renee Knight

1. The top 5 reasons patients aren’t coming back to your practice

Patients are the lifeblood of your practice. They’re the reason you became a dentist, and it’s your job to help them reach optimal oral health, and to ensure they’re happy with the bright, confident smile you helped create and protect. But that doesn’t mean you have to put up with patients who disrespect your time or who don’t see the value in the dentistry you offer.

by DPR Editorial Team