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| TOPIC: DENTAL DEVICES-FDA APPROVAL |
| New technology and research has created many opportunities for dentists to treat their patients in a more effective and efficient manner. Over the past few years we have seen an increase in devices introduced into the dental market place to achieve better treatment outcomes and give patients alternatives that were not previously available. Unfortunately there has also been the marketing of devices with questionable or unproven therapeutic or diagnostic value. |
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| TOPIC: FICTITIOUS OR ASSUMED NAMES |
| There are many State Boards of Dentistry that have rules and regulations about the use of fictitious or assumed names for dentists and dental practices. Recently it has come to light that there are dentists using an assumed or fictitious name in promoting, advertising or identifying themselves to the public. Dentists are required to only use the name on their license on all advertising and material identifying themselves to the public. |
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| TOPIC: DISASTER PLANNING |
| The recent floods in the Northeast and fires in the Southwest have affected many people including dentists and their offices. The protection and security of patient records is only one concern at the time of a natural disaster but careful planning can help ease some of this burden. Every situation is different but some basics of an action plan are essential. |
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| UPDATE: Anticoagulant, Antiplatelet Medications and Dental Procedures |
| There have been very recent reports in dental publications that the discontinuation or change in anticoagulation or antiplatelet medications prior to invasive dental procedures is not indicated. Reported evidence based research indicates that there is no increased risk of a bleeding incident associated with continued regular dosing of these medications. |
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| Medicaid Update |
| There have been several reports recently about State Medicaid offices demanding refunds of fees and other regulatory actions against participating dental providers. These actions are, in many instances, retroactive for several years. It appears that this activity is due, in part, to the economic problems that many state agencies are facing. |
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| Topic: Risks Associated with Acetaminophen Containing Medications |
| In April, 2010, the FDA revised the warning label for over the counter products containing acetaminophen due to concerns about increasing numbers of reports of liver toxicity connected with over medication. It is therefore important for dentists to be very careful when dispensing, recommending or prescribing any medication containing acetaminophen. |
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| Topic: Temporomandibular Disorders |
| The diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) has been an issue of debate amongst dental professionals for many years. In March of this year the American Association of Dental Research Council approved and issued a revision of its 1996 policy statement on TMDs. This revised statement could be used in determining the appropriateness of diagnosis and treatment of TMD in disputed cases. |
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| Topic: New EPA Mercury Guideline/Rule |
| The EPA has announced that it is initiating a guideline rulemaking process for dental facilities to reduce discharges of mercury into the environment. It will focus on the technology of amalgam separators. The EPA will propose the rule in 2011 and finalize it in 2012 |
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| FTC Red Flags Rule: June 2010 Update |
| At the request of several Members of Congress, the Federal Trade Commission is further delaying enforcement of the ed FlagsRule through December 31, 2010, while Congress considers legislation that would affect the scope of entities covered by the Rule. |
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| Topic: Bisphosphonate - Osteonecrosis |
| Oral bisphosphonate induced osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) is a real condition that is seen far less frequently
than ONJ related to intravenous bisphosphonate therapy. |
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| Topic: Dental Cremes |
| There have been several reports over the last two years of neurologic problems associated with the use of Zinc containing denture pastes such as Super Poligrip and Fixodent. On Thursday, February 18, 2010 GlaxoSmithKline announced that they were stopping sales and production of three versions of Poligrip but did not issue a recall. |
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| Oral Cancer in Women Rising |
| The Oral Cancer Foundation has recently reported that the numbers of oral cancers diagnosed each year are rising. Oral cancer has historically been primarily a male disease with six males affected for every female. However that ratio has changed over the past number of years to two males for every female diagnosed. |
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| Latisse and Ozone Treatments |
| Two new treatments are being performed in dental offices. Before introducing any new procedures to your office, you should check with your state licensing board to ensure such procedures are within the scope of practice for your state. Moreover, you should research any new procedure that is introduced into your practice to determine the safety and efficacy of its use prior to using it. You should obtain an adequate consent for the use of any new procedures. |
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| Recent FDA Directives Concerning Botulinum Toxins |
| On April 30, 2009 the Federal Drug Administration, in response to a citizen petition, issued, and on August 3, 2009 updated, new directives that require holders of Biologic License Applications (BLA) for licensed botulinum toxin products to add wording to all labeling that there is a risk of the spread of the toxin effects from the site of injection. |
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| FTC Red Flags Rule-November 2009 Update |
| Effective November 1, 2008, the United States Federal Trade Commission (FTC) adopted regulatory language requiring various entities, including businesses (which in almost all circumstances includes Dental Practices), not for profit organizations, and governmental units to create policies and procedures to address Detection, Prevention, and Mitigation of identity theft for overed accounts |
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| FDA Regulation on Dental Amalgam |
| The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a final regulation classifying dental amalgam and its component parts elemental mercury and a powder alloysed in dental fillings. |
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| Infection Control - Do you have a plan? |
| Although the risk of infection is lower in the dental office than it is in the hospital environment, infection control protocols in the dental office are still critically important to the safety and well being of patients, dentists and employees. |
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| New X-Ray Guidelines |
| The National Academy of Sciences has issued a report stating that low doses of radiation, including that from dental x-rays, pose a small risk of cancer. |
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| OSHA Announces New Needle Safety and Record Keeping Regulations |
| On January 18, 2001, OSHA announced new needle safety and record keeping regulations scheduled to take effect during the first year of the George W. Bush administration alongside new ergonomics rules. The needle safety and record keeping regulations take effect April 18 and Jan. 1, 2002, respectively. |
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| OSHA IMPLEMENTS NEW NEEDLE SAFETY PROVISIONS |
| According to the American Dental Association, the new needle safety regulations for health care employers that will take effect are expected to have minimal impact on private dental practices - UPDATE TO OUR RISK MANAGEMENT ALERTS
DATED FEBRUARY 1, 2001 AND MARCH 8, 2001. |
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| Personal use of electronic equipment |
| Every dental office should have a clearly articulated policy on the use of supplied equipment and what staff may expect in terms of privacy and monitoring. |
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| Reporting a Dental Incident to us |
| Delayed reporting can lead to patient dissatisfaction, loss of crucial evidence, unnecessary lawsuits, time and expense away from your practice and possibly the loss of insurance protection. |
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| Return of Fees |
| The first line of defense against a request for return of fees is prevention. |
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| New York enacts the Physician Profiling Law - ARE DENTISTS NEXT? |
| On Friday, October 6, 2000, Governor George Pataki signed the Patient Health Information and Quality Improvement Act of 2000 (Public Health Law 29-D), also known as "the Physician Profiling Law." The law expands the scope of information available to patients about health care in the State of New York and creates a statewide health information system for the collection and dissemination of information about physicians licensed to practice medicine in the State of New York. |
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| New Antibiotic Prophylaxis Guidelines Released |
| The American Heart Association has released new
guidelines as of April 19, 2007, for the prevention of
infective endocarditis in certain cardiac patients while
undergoing dental treatment. |
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| National Provider Identifier (NPI) Update DO YOU WRITE PRESCRIPTIONS? |
| An NPI is a unique 10-digit numeric identifier assigned to health care providers and organizations defined as covered entities under HIPAA.
Any health care provider or organization defined as a covered entity under HIPAA and now the recent clarification from HHS is required to obtain an NPI. |
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| Management of Paresthesia |
| Paresthesia is a temporary or permanent loss of sensation resulting from pressure or damage1 to the nerve effecting the tissues of the mouth, including the tongue, cheek, lip, or chin. Paresthesia mostly occurs after third molar extractions. Paresthesia also occurs less frequently as a result of a dental implant procedure and anesthetic injections. |
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| Informed Refusal |
| A new risk in dental practice has surfaced in the past few years. It relates to the refusal of a patient to follow the advice of the treating doctor. |
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| Is Your Dental Practice OSHA Compliant? |
| Most dentists know that their office is required to remain compliant with the Occupational Safety & Health Administration regulations. If you don't, you risk the possibility of fines and statutory penalties. |
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| Language Barrier Issues |
| Although the official and principal language of the United States is English, there have always been parts of the population for whom English was not the primary tongue. |
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| Basic Practice Guidelines |
| Dentist's Advantage has recently received reports of incidents which have highlighted basic
office protocols that, if not adhered to at all times, may have the potential for serious
consequences. |
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| Are you ready for Hurricane Isabel? |
| WHAT WE KNOW: Hurricane Isabel is bearing down on the East Coast
NOAA is predicting landfall Thursday or Friday between NC and NJ
The last large hurricane to hit the United States, Allison, resulted on over $6 BILLION in property damage - WHAT YOU CAN DO? |
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| Dental Assistants |
| In today's litigious society a dentist who practices without a dental assistant is practicing with a greater risk than those who practice with an assistant. |
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| Do-It-Yourself Cosmetic Dental Devices |
| Your patients are hearing this all the time: "Want a winning smile and refreshing breath?"Let's face it, U.S. dental product makers are more than eager to oblige. |
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