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• Why phasing restorative dental treatment can be helpful for both dentists and patients: A case study October 22, 2018
  Payment plans often become the topic of conversation when a patient's dental treatment plan involves a sizable amount of restorative dentistry. Cost can be one of the biggest factors preventing patients from accepting the dental treatment they need. Dr. Zachary Sisler presents a case study to illustrate the benefits that the underutilized concept of phasing […]
• Diagnosis for BC oral pathology case No. 38: Steps to evaluate leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma October 20, 2018
  Malignant lesions can be confusing to diagnose without a biopsy, because some—such as leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma—share etiologic factors. However, there are several steps to take when you encounter suspicious areas of tissue that will help you evaluate whether or not the lesion is cancerous. This is the complete oral pathology case of the […]
• Seizing teaching opportunities and improving dental clinical skills: 'I saw tadpoles on that patient's x-ray' October 20, 2018
  Tadpoles? Yes! Dr. Stacey Simmons explains how to seize the moments in your dental practice when you can teach staff members a lifetime of knowledge that will improve their clinical skills in one minute—without missing a beat. Teaching opportunities are endless. Dentists are teachers and students every day, and as the dental profession continues to […]
• The 101 on human papillomavirus (HPV): What health-care providers need to know about HPV and oral cancer September 21, 2018
  Human papillomavirus–related oropharyngeal cancer is now considered an epidemic. As health-care professionals with initial screening methods, we must make the first move to guide our patients with reliable information. Choosing not to proactively educate our patients about the dangers of HPV–OPC could cost the lives of many to a preventable infection. Dr. Susan Maples shares […]
• BC oral pathology case No. 38: The 'harmless-looking' white lip lesion that got ignored September 19, 2018
  In this oral pathology case, a healthy 65-year-old male patient of record presents for his recare/periodontal maintenance visit. He reports no concerns, but a clinical head and neck exam reveals a white, flat, 5 mm x 5 mm irregular-bordered lesion on the lower labial tissue. Based on the presentation and clinical exam, can you diagnose […]
• I had to give myself stitches, and now I understand my patients' fear of needles September 19, 2018
  Dr. Stacey Simmons: "To save myself from sounding like a fool, let's just say it was an accident and the two-inch gash in my leg—after trying to convince myself that I didn't need stitches—actually did need some fancy needlework, and I was going to have to be the one to do it. Now, how in […]
• Understanding the delicate balance between the microbiome and overall health: Effects on periodontal disease treatment September 19, 2018
  We must stop focusing on bacteria and the body as separate entities. Consider this: "The goal of periodontal therapy is not to kill as many bacteria as possible, but, rather, to restore the delicate balance between the body and the microbiome." Dr. Richard Nagelberg takes a complex topic and breaks it down into understandable bites. […]
• Smoking, cancer, heart disease, and the oral-systemic link: Where we are with research August 18, 2018
  Dr. Richard Nagelberg examines the links between smoking, lung cancer, and heart disease, as well as the types of research and studies that established the strength of their credibility over time. Likewise, he considers where we are today with the link between oral health and overall health as he evaluates the current state of oral-systemic […]
• BC oral pathology diagnosis 37: The case of the silent lesion August 18, 2018
  Last month, Dr. Stacey Simmons presented the oral pathology case of the "silent lesion"—the 0.5- x 0.5-inch radiopaque mass that had been present in the oral cavity of a 74-year-old patient for at least six years, unbeknownst to the patient. In her complete analysis of this case, Dr. Simmons explains why the lesion will continue […]
• TMD airway connection: The importance of dental and medical screenings August 17, 2018
  There's much discussion regarding the relationship between TMD and airway disorders. Many dentists look for TMJ issues or problems with a patient’s bite, but often the cause of a patient's issues is related to airway and breathing complications. Dr. DeWitt Wilkerson outlines the case of a dentist-patient, explaining the signs and symptoms to evaluate through […]