Week in Review: Dental products on tariff list | Making an inviting office | Why more tooth decay?

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The dental industry received mixed news today in the trade showdown between the U.S. and China, as many dental products were taken off the list of products and materials that will have tariffs slapped on them. However, imaging, optical, and anesthetic devices were not spared and remain on the list to have a 25% tariff imposed beginning in July. Read more here.

The positive news for the dental industry is that many dental product categories, such as cements, were dropped from the tariff list. However the impact on manufacturers whose products are on the list is yet to be determined.

Also this week on DrBicuspid.com, Dr. Roger P. Levin writes that an attractive and updated office is a necessity -- not a luxury. Perhaps your office looks like a time capsule from the '80s or '90s. Maybe the carpets are worn. View the office through the eyes of your patients -- you might be surprised at what you see. Read his Practice Success tip here.

The question of why there are more tooth decay and gum disease now than in the past isn't an easy one to answer, writes periodontist Dr. Alvin Danenberg. He tells his patients that while flossing and brushing are crucial, other factors are just as important. Learn more here.

What's the maximum recommended dose for lidocaine or mepivacaine? The answer remains unclear as guidelines published by dental organizations, manufacturers, and textbooks vary, so researchers surveyed faculty at U.S. dental schools to learn more about the standards they teach. Read more here.