Dear DrBicuspid Member,
It's officially the last weekend of summer. Ironically, I plan to spend it in the Colorado mountains chasing the first colors of autumn (after all, we've already had our first snowfall of the season at my house), so my wife and I will be trying to jam two seasons together this weekend. Here's hoping you get a chance to relax and take a deep breath after what I'm sure has been another long week in your practice.
When Chadwick Boseman died from colon cancer unexpectedly recently, it cast a new light on this horrible disease for many of your dental patients. As Boseman's death lingers in their minds, a link between colorectal cancer and periodontal disease is another part of the oral-systemic connection coming to light. Tom Viola, RPh, wrote about that link this week and joined me for a podcast where we dove into the subject a little deeper.
In addition, a link between third molars and periodontal disease is also being studied. Adult African Americans, Hispanics, and those with socioeconomic disadvantages are more likely to have retained their wisdom teeth, making them more at risk for periodontal disease, according to a recent study.
Of course, COVID-19 dominated some of our headlines and most popular stories once again this week. That includes a response from a dental hygienist to one of our most popular articles of the month after a detailed look at how proper infection control standards in Italy kept dentists and assistants safe in one of the world's biggest hotspots. But what about the hygienists? That's what Amanda Hill, RDH, BSDH, asked in her rebuttal.
Additionally, there's a new analysis that shows patients who experienced mild or no upper respiratory symptoms developed tongue ulcers within a few days of testing positive for SARS-CoV-2. Do you need to be on the lookout for this sign in your practice?
Finally, in times of crisis, Dr. Roger P. Levin believes the dental practice must focus on both short-term survival and long-term success. This means that production becomes the single most important factor in terms of day-to-day operations. This week, he gave our readers three production targets on which to focus their efforts and boost their bottom line.
Thank you for taking time out of your week and weekend to read DrBicuspid.com. Here's to a great weekend ahead!
