Is Groupon right for you? And, MRI finds another dental application

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Over the past year, as group discount shopping services such as Groupon, Living Social, and Facebook Deals have come onto the scene, a number of dentists have experimented with these services to attract new patients. While proponents say they are less expensive and more effective than traditional advertising, others are less enthusiastic about the effectiveness.

Click here to read the pros and cons of investing in online discount shopping services, plus tips on how to navigate these new marketing waters, in this latest Practice Management Community feature.

In Hygiene Community news, research has shown that dental students tend to underreport exposures to bloodborne pathogens. But an educational campaign at the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry helped reverse this trend, particularly among third- and fourth-year students, according to a study in the Journal of Dental Education.

Over in the Imaging & CAD/CAM Community, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is in its infancy when it comes to applications in dentistry, researchers are beginning to compare this nonionizing imaging technology to more established modalities, with positive results. A new study in Clinical Oral Implants Research found that MRI is a promising alternative to cone-beam CT for locating the mandibular nerve prior to third-molar extraction. Read more.

And in her latest Dental Diaries entry, Dr. Sheri Doniger shares a recent experience with a last-minute cancellation that made her realize sometimes we can all appreciate a little unexpected free time.

Also, don't miss Dr. Marty Jablow's latest Ask Marty Q&A, where he offers his opinion of several oral cancer screening devices.