Dear DrBicuspid Member,
Our top story of the week questions whether the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to a dental hygienist shortage. One in 12 dental hygienists has dropped out of the workforce since last March, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of Dental Hygiene.
Hygienists reported numerous reasons for leaving the workforce, including furloughs, lack of childcare, and safety concerns. New data also showed that 3.1% of dental hygienists had ever been diagnosed with COVID-19 -- a percentage lower than the rate for many other types of healthcare professionals and similar to the rate for dentists.
Have you taken our survey on COVID-19 vaccination yet? We're interested in knowing whether you or your practice intends to participate in a vaccination program -- we'll use your responses in a story that will shed light on the topic. Get started today: The survey closes at midnight Eastern time on March 2.
Chicago Midwinter Meeting
The Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting is happening once again, but this year the conference is taking place virtually. Our coverage kicked off on Thursday when we featured presentations on the expanding role of dental hygienists and the safety of aerosol-generating devices during the pandemic. (If the latter topic interests you, you may also like this story.)
One big topic on everybody's minds during the conference is what dentistry is going to look like after the COVID-19 pandemic. Henry Schein CEO Stanley Bergman grappled with that question at a media event covered by Associate Editor Melissa Busch.
Bergman's thoughts were not particularly optimistic: He predicted that the effects of COVID-19 will linger for years. But he also painted this as a key opportunity for dentists to further integrate oral and overall health.
That was a viewpoint shared by dental ethics expert Nanette Elster, who spoke about ethical decision-making during COVID-19 on Friday. In a video interview, Elster shared her insight into how the ethical principles that guided dentists through the 1918 flu pandemic can also help dentists today.
National Tooth Fairy Day
Last but not least, Sunday is National Tooth Fairy Day, and to celebrate, baby teeth are worth more than ever before. The tooth fairy's average cash gift reached $4.70 this year, according to the annual Original Tooth Fairy Poll from the Delta Dental Plans Association. That's more than triple the amount in 1998 when the poll first started.
While we're talking about dental holidays, I'd like to wish you a very happy Dental Assistants Recognition Week, which corresponds with the first week of March. Your gift? More great content on DrBicuspid.com all week long. 😉
