Dear DrBicuspid Member,
A well-known orthodontist was sentenced to roughly 12 months in prison for his role in a public corruption scheme involving a former state senator from Arkansas. Our top story of the week summarized some of the key points in a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Arkansas.
The sentencing was the latest news regarding Dr. Benjamin Burris, a former Arkansas dentist who pleaded guilty in September 2021 to conspiracy to commit honest services fraud. Under the plea agreement, Burris admitted he paid bribes to former state Sen. Jeremy Hutchinson in exchange for legislation that benefited his dental clinics.
Yankee Dental 2022
The Yankee Dental Congress was underway this week in Boston, but it was cut short due to inclement weather. Yankee canceled all courses, events, and programs today due to the powerful winter storm.
Even though the event didn't go exactly as planned, there were still plenty of notable moments and sessions. Presenter Dr. Keri Discepolo gave DrBicuspid.com an overview of why screening for sleep-disordered breathing is just as important for children as adults. Also, presenter Sarah Allen Benton shared how the COVID-19 pandemic has taken an even greater physical and mental health toll on dentists.
Be sure to follow DrBicuspid on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more videos and highlights from the show.
Yes, you need to know about nocebo
The nocebo effect may sound like a term from a bad sci-fi novel, but it's a very real effect that can cause worsening dental symptoms and other adverse events, according to a review in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation.
Medical researchers characterize the nocebo effect as subpar treatment efficacy, worsening symptoms, or adverse events caused by a patient's negative expectations about care. It's particularly notable for dental treatment, which produces feelings of fear and anxiety for many patients.
Social media tips
Last but not least, I sat down with social media expert Tim Vassilakos to chat about tips to elevate your social media profiles in 2022. Tim shared quite a few insights that you don't want to miss, but what stuck with me was his description of social media as the new form of word-of-mouth marketing.
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