Medi-Cal wants dental money back; time for the 2012 Excellence Awards!

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The California Department of Health Care Services -- the agency that oversees Medi-Cal, the state's Medicaid program -- is demanding that community clinics across the state pay back money that was used for adult dental services between October 2010 and May 2011 following a legal battle about cuts to Medi-Cal.

Clinic directors are now scrambling to figure out how to pay back hundreds of thousands of dollars they spent on dental services during the seven-month period -- money they say will devastate their ability to provide care to the needy. Read more.

In imaging news, near-infrared transillumination offers "very good" sensitivity and specificity when compared to bitewing radiography for early detection and diagnosis of approximal caries, according to a new study in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology. But is it practical?

And although durian fruit has a pungent odor and tough, spiky rind, it appears to have some positive oral hygiene implications as well. In a study presented at the recent ADA annual session, a team of Thai researchers found that it is nontoxic, reduces bad breath, and decreases bacteria in the oral cavity. Read more.

Meanwhile, when things are going well, we think we're doing everything right. But when times are tough, it's difficult not to blame ourselves. Is it time for a change of perspective? Click here to read Dr. Don Deems' advice in the latest installment of his Beyond Practice Management series.

2012 Dental Excellence Awards

It's that time of year again: The DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Awards!

Do you have a favorite new product you think deserves recognition? Do your colleagues deserve special attention for their efforts in education or research? Then nominate them for the third annual Dental Excellence Awards, designed to honor the best and brightest in dentistry.

Starting today, we will take suggestions from our members for candidates in 12 categories, ranging from Most Effective Dentist Educator to Best New Material to Hottest Clinical Procedure. You'll then be asked to select the finalists in two subsequent rounds of voting, with winners announced on January 23.

Your participation in the nomination process is crucial to ensuring that the Dental Excellence Awards are an accurate reflection of dentistry. To get started, just click here or go to dentalexcellenceawards.drbicuspid.com.