Levin on staff conflict; La. dentists questioned by federal audit; Frost talks orthodontics

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Staff conflict is one of the most challenging practice management concerns for dentists. It's also inevitable that disagreements among team members will arise at some point. The key to resolution is to handle the quarrel promptly and effectively, according to Dr. Roger P. Levin.

A federal audit has found that 27 Louisiana dental providers treating children on Medicaid have excessive billing practices. These providers may be billing for services that were never performed, performing unnecessary procedures to increase profits, or providing questionable quality of care, according to a report by the U.S. Department of Health and Services Office of Inspector General. Read more here.

In our latest Leaders in Dentistry interview, Dr. Stuart Frost talks about advances and evolutions in orthodontic treatments, how he sees older practitioners become inspired by new treatments and technologies, and what it's like to lecture internationally.

In a review from the Journal of Dental Research, researchers from Brazil assessed the current weight of evidence concerning new candidate periodontal pathogens and any role they might play in the progression of periodontal disease. Read more here.

One of the most interesting aspects of my interview with Dr. Stuart Frost (see above) is his enthusiasm and delight in being able to help experienced practitioners revitalize their practices. It's a point not made often enough: We can all learn something every day, if we're willing to put ourselves out there. How can your practice benefit? Let me know.