Successful Local Anesthesia: What Endodontists Need to Know

Patients in pain will be hard to anesthetize for a number of reasons. Currently, there is no simple solution to anesthetizing mandibular molars in patients presenting with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis

EPA Requires Amalgam Separators by 2019

Because endodontists routinely remove fillings, they will be required to comply with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s new rule requiring the use of amalgam separators in dental offices.

Updated AAE Resources Aid in Claims Submissions

The AAE recently updated manuals to help endodontists and their staff correctly code and submit insurance claims. The Endodontists’ Guide to CDT 2017 includes frequently used codes for endodontic procedures, coding scenarios and information about medical claims coding.

Advance our Specialty by Participating in Treatment Outcomes Study

The AAE is encouraging members to participate in a study being conducted by the National Dental Practice Based Research Network on Predicting Outcomes of Root Canal Treatment, observational cohort study.

Analgesics: Balancing the Equation

“Take two aspirin and call me in the morning.” This decades-old statement was what many patients were “prescribed” by their doctor when complaining of a minor malady.

Take Stock in Your Practice: Four Ways to Make 2017 a Great Year

Now is a good time to take stock of your practice’s current condition, and initiate changes that will result in a more productive and profitable 2017. Focus your efforts in the following four areas to experience immediate as well as long-term benefits.

Calling All Endodontists: Join the NDPBRN

The National Dental Practice-Based Referral Network (NDPBRN) conducts dental practice-based research to improve oral health and the efficiency and effectiveness of dental care. Its research is done in the “real world” of daily clinical practice and focuses on issues that will have an impact on patient health outcomes, patient satisfaction or the efficiency of the daily delivery of care.

The AAE supports the NDPBRN and encourages endodontists to participate. Endodontist involvement helps demonstrate the differences in care delivered by a generalist versus a specialist.

Managing Referral Relationships in Challenging Times

Since the Great Recession disrupted the dental economy, many dentists have changed their referral patterns. Cases they typically used to refer to specialists – not only endodontists but also orthodontists, periodontists, oral surgeons and pediatric dentists – are now frequently retained. The reason is obvious; general practices that once could easily fill their daily schedules with customary types of treatment began experiencing production declines. Rather than giving away potential income to specialists, they decided to perform specialized procedures themselves. While you can’t alter the underlying causes, youcan serve your own purposes better – and earn the lasting respect and trust of referring offices – by rethinking how you work with them during these changing times. Here are some suggestions for making the most of the situation.

The Importance of Engaging Your Patients on Mobile Devices

Over the last year and a half, there has been a dramatic shift in the way people access information on the internet. Searches on dental symptoms, research on providers and online patient registration have increased as the methods patients use to find information have become more accessible and convenient. The shift from desktop computing to mobile device platforms has altered the internet landscape, and hence, that of your online presence. Is your endodontic practice engaging visitors with a website that accommodates mobile, tablet and desktop devices? If not, you could be losing prospective patients.

CDT Codes D3331 and D2955: Use, Don’t Abuse

As chairman of the AAE’s Practice Affairs Committee, one of my responsibilities is responding to AAE member questions about dental claims. I also run my own endodontic practice, so I know firsthand the frustrations of dealing with dental insurance companies. In May, I had the opportunity to join AAE President Dr. Linda G. Levin and Immediate Past President Dr. Terryl A. Propper at the AAE’s biennial meeting with a group of 20 dental directors representing large dental insurers. The meeting was eye-opening on a number of levels.