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.
Read MoreADPAC: 2016 Election Update
With the intense focus of a presidential election year, it is easy to forget that each member of the U.S. House of Representatives is up for reelection in 2016 (as they are every two years). As always, ADPAC is working to give dentistry a voice in the federal government by backing candidates who are committed to supporting dental professionals and improving oral health.
Read MoreAAE Digital Outreach by the Numbers – June 2016
Patients increasingly are turning to online sources for information about their health care and health providers; endodontics is no exception. The AAE has taken concerted steps in recent years to ensure those internet users have access to reliable, authoritative information about endodontics.
Read MoreThe AAE Alliance Community
While AAE members at AAE16 were enjoying high-quality endodontic education, 70 of their guests were in Napa Valley enjoying a tour and tasting at a picturesque winery. The guest excursions are a memorable part of every annual meeting, and the AAE Alliance – a community of spouses, partners and supporters of AAE members – is the driving force behind those activities. In addition, the organization is a generous donor to the Foundation for Endodontics, contributing more than $1,000 over the past 20 years. AAE Alliance President Shelley Zucker and longtime volunteer Val Rossman shared their experiences as part of the Alliance.
Read MoreDr. Karan Replogle Joins OHSU
Karan J. Replogle, D.D.S., M.S., is the new director of advanced specialty program in endodontics at the Oregon Health & Sciences University School of Dentistry, effective June 1, 2016.
Read MorePresident’s Message: Endodontic Outcomes: Measuring Clinical Endodontic Success
As healthcare providers we interface with the public every day. Our conversations range from introductory niceties and diagnostic interrogations to discussions about treatment plans and outcomes. The last topic often evokes the question, “How long will my root canal treatment last?” It’s a valid question and the answer is often rife with contingencies and complexities that vary for each patient and each tooth. Yet, what has stood out to me in these conversations is the patient’s implicit impression that a root canal will last forever. Is that reasonable or even possible to predict reliably? Do patients ask the same questions of their restorative dentists about a composite restoration or crown? Is the reality that all dental work is temporary?
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreFoundation for Endodontics Spreads Message of Saving Teeth
Though the setting was a far cry from their clinics and practices, the goal was the same: save the teeth. In March, Drs. Daniella S. Peinado, Victoria J. Ball and Ryan B. McMahan visited the fishing village of Treasure Beach, Jamaica, on an access to care trip funded by the Foundation for Endodontics.
Read MoreCDT 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.
Read MoreDid You Know? AAE Videos Explain Procedures and Promote Endodontic Expertise
The AAE’s patient education videos are excellent resources to help your patients understand endodontic procedures and the specialists who perform them. High-quality, 3-D animated videos explain what happens during root canal treatment, retreatment, endodontic surgery, and the diagnosis and treatment of cracked teeth. Additional videos illustrate advancements in endodontic training and technology and emphasize the safety of root canal treatment. Take advantage of this free member benefit by downloading the videos to use in your practice or institution, or embedding them in your website directly from the AAE’s YouTube channel.
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