How to break bad news effectively; Teddy Roosevelt's winning smile

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Delivering difficult news to a patient can be challenging, and most dental schools do not adequately prepare dental professionals for this aspect of the job, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association.

Using sensitivity to address concerns related to a diagnosis can help ensure that the patient understands the importance of complying with further testing and referrals, the study authors noted.

Meanwhile, in the latest installment of our popular Leaders in Dentistry series, we spoke with Dr. Richard Demke, senior director of technology and new product development at Sunstar Americas. Dr. Demke, who has been involved with dentistry for nearly four decades, reflects on the many changes he has seen in clinical practice over the years and some new products and techniques he believes will further improve the delivery of oral healthcare.

And resident dental historian Daniel Demers delves into the life of one of the most popular U.S. presidents: Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt, who was known the world over for his winning smile and gusto for life. Demers also explores the speculation that an infected tooth was responsible for Roosevelt's death at age 60.

Finally, a torrential downpour in Chicago last week may have disrupted Dr. Sheri Doniger's patient schedule for a day, but she managed to find a silver lining despite all the rain.