Pulled teeth worth $2 million; too many patients texting?

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

A South Carolina woman was awarded $2 million in damages after a jury found that a dental clinic in Florence County had mistakenly removed all of her upper teeth. But the defendants say there is more to the story than meets the eye. Read more.

Meanwhile, a survey by the Chicago Dental Society reveals that a growing number of patients are texting and talking on cell phones while in the dental chair, often getting in the way of treatment. What's your policy?

In legislative news, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services this week issued new regulations requiring healthcare providers, health plans, and other entities covered by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) to notify individuals when their health information is breached. Read more.

In our ongoing "How To" series, veteran dental hygienist Rhonda Jones discusses the importance of first impressions, noting that even with the acceptance of a more casual look in the workplace, how we present ourselves remains critical in building trust with new patients and potential employers. Read more.

Finally, over on the Second Opinion page, marketing guru Richard Geller shares his thoughts on how to create compelling videos that can help grow your practice without breaking the bank.