Unsterilized Dental Implants Stolen From Factory

An Israeli factory is reporting that thousands of dental implants were stolen before they could be sterilized. Adin Dental Implant Systems warns you to be careful if you come across someone trying to sell you very cheap implants. Check them out thoroughly.

On a side note, how on earth does Israel have a ratio of 400 implants for every 10,000 people and the US  has only 50 for that same population? Israeli doctors must really know how to communicate with their patients!

Click here to read the source article – thanks to M for sending this story along!

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Federal Employees Open Season 2010

The government’s open season has begun and extends through December 14, 2009. Implant services are covered under the Aetna and Metlife plans at the major percentage (40-50% coverage). These are the dental plans that are offered. Aetna Life Insurance Company;

• Government Employees Health Association, Inc. (GEHA)
• MetLife Inc.
• United Concordia Companies, Inc.
• Group Health, Inc.
• Humana/CompBenefits, Inc.
• Triple-S Salud, Inc.

Please note that United Concordia for federal employees does not cover implants – other UC plans do cover implants but not the federal plan.

Click here to visit the Federal Dental Benefit plans website

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OSAP Shakes it Up for 2010 Symposium

The Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) has announced their 2010 Infection Prevention Symposium: SHAKE IT UP – *O*vercome complacency, *S*upport compliance, *A*dvance a culture of safety, *P*repare for contingencies, which will be held June 10-13, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, Florida. The information-packed Symposium is designed to provide a wealth of take-aways to help oral healthcare educators and consultants, and dental professionals responsible for infection control and safety in their clinics and practices, address today’s fast-changing safety and infection control challenges.

A Thursday morning golf tournament kicks off the Symposium. The tournament, which raises funds for the OSAP Foundation, is open to all – no Symposium registration is required. Thursday also offers special pre-conference content for educators and consultants. Friday, following a day of informative sessions that include a spotlight on H1N1, a panel on social media and public health, information on new technologies, and the Zapp Lecture, the popular OSAP auction will again feature an astounding array of fabulous items. Saturday offers a full day of workshops and information sessions, on topics ranging from ergonomics to how to write an abstract and how to create clear infection control/safety messages. Optional post-conference session offerings are available Sunday morning.

Sunny Tampa Florida features more than 2,000 acres of parks and beaches within the city limits and is very accessible- just a $10 van ride from the airport, which is served by Southwest and other inexpensive carriers. Saturday night’s dine-around event will give participants a chance to experience the dynamic restaurant scene in Tampa and will include a tour of historic Ybor City , where the Cuban sandwiches are hot and crisp, the cigars are hand-rolled, and the colorful streets are lined with fun.

For more information or Symposium registration information, call 800-298-OSAP (6727) or visit www.osap.org.

OSAP is the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures.  Founded in 1984, the non-profit association is dentistry’s premier resource for infection control and safety information.  Through its publications, courses, web site, and worldwide collaborations, OSAP and the tax-exempt OSAP Foundation support education, research, service, and policy development to promote safety and the control of infectious diseases in dental healthcare settings worldwide.

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Blogstumble: Dental Heroes

A great dental site with so much fun stuff! Plus they’re active on Twitter - bonus! Check them out:

Click here to visit Dental Heroes – say hi to Corey while you’re there!

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What Separates An Ordinary Practice From An Extraordinary Practice?

My good friend Judy Kay Mausolf was recently interviewed by MyDentalChannel.com and I wanted to pass it on to you. She has a wonderful way of communicating with teams and audiences. Any size audience benefits from her energy and know-how.

Click here to listen to her interview and download an article on ‘Elevating the Level of Communication.”

Visit Judy Kay’s site

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Sirona Dental Works with Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™ To Offer CAD/CAM Seminars

These two companies have put together a wonderful opportunity for dentists to receive free CE and learn from top dentists in the field. And if free CE weren’t enough, one night’s lodging in beautiful Scottsdale is included.

Gordon & Rella Christensen Among Top Industry Experts Slated to Speak –Dentists Receive Complimentary Tuition, Hotel Stay, and Six CE Credits

Scottsdale, AZ (October 21, 2009) – Sirona Dental Systems today announced plans to hold two complimentary seminars on CAD/CAM for dentists at the prestigious Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™ on November 12^th and 13^th or November 13^th and 14^th, 2009.

The CAD/CAM Discovery Seminars, underwritten by Sirona and Patterson Dental Corporation, include not only complimentary tuition and six CE credits (a $1,395.00 value), but also a complimentary one-night stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Hotel.

“We’re very excited about bringing this seminar to the Scottsdale Center and are happy to underwrite it in order to help defray the costs to dentists,” remarked Sirona Dental Systems President, Michael Augins. “The CAD/CAM Discovery Seminar promises to be an educational experience that will provide dentists with the information they need to make an informed decision about incorporating
in-office CAD/CAM, digital impressions, and digital dentistry into their own practices.”

Sirona has enlisted an impressive lineup of distinguished dental industry speakers for the seminars, including:

• Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD
• Imtiaz Manji, CEO, Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™
• Rella Christensen, RDH, PhD
• Lee Ann Brady, DMD
• Sameer Puri, DDS
• Russell Giordano, DMD, DMSc, FADM

Topics of discussion during the CAD/CAM Discovery Seminar will include:

• Success of In-Office CAD/CAM
• CAD/CAM for the General Dentist
• Clinical Efficacy of CAD/CAM Materials
• Taking Your Practice to New Heights
• Hands-On Experience with CEREC^® AC

The complete CEREC AC product line was introduced to the US market in January of 2009. At the heart of CEREC AC is the Bluecam handheld acquisition camera, which uses a highly visible blue light LED (light emitting diode) to harness the full potential of digital impression-taking. CEREC AC provides dentists with a variety of configurations, budget price points, and practice integration options, thus making CAD/CAM available for everyone.

To register for the seminars, or for additional information, please call 877-526-3590 or visit www.cerecseminar.com.

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U.S. House Says Most Dental Offices Are Exempt From Red-Flag Rules

Finally – something in Congress is going our way! Today the House of Representatives voted that the Red Flags rules does not apply to healthcare entities with 20 or fewer employees. The bill still needs to be approved by the Senate or the November 1st deadline will take effect. We’ll keep you updated.

Click here to read the ADA news release

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Save the Date: Insurance Webinar Oct. 14th @ 8pm EST

Join me and Practiceworks for this webinar. It’s called ‘Claims Without Shame’ and it is perfect for new and intermediate insurance billers. One hour may save you a few dollars – sign up now!

Click here for more information and to register

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$1.6 Million Embezzled From Dental Office

Vicki Wafford had her own rubber stamp and check supply printed with her employer’s name. She wrote checks to herself for fictitious invoices. While her boss – Dr. James Hargas – struggled to meet payroll and took out personal loans to stem the cash flow, she was gambling and abusing prescription drugs. Wafford plead guilty to theft charges but not to prescription fraud charges. Had she gone to trial she would have faced over 60 counts of embezzlement, theft and prescription drug fraud. Ms. Wafford had worked for Dr. Hargas since 1992.

Ms. Wafford is a close runner-up to Lori Doughty, embezzler of $1.9 million. Click here to read her story.

Read the source article here

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36% of Americans Cut Back on Doctor Visits – Primarily Dentists

The American Optometric Association just released a study that details the breakdown of this 36% of the population. We’ve heard of the industry slowing down – with some of us being hit harder than others. It’s not just us that’s feeling it – look at the chart below and see who else is feeling the slowdown. I know my chiropractor sure does see me a lot quicker than he used to!

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Aloha From The ADA & ADMC Annual Sessions!

The blog is going to take a break while I attend a week full of continuing education and networking. Mixed in between will be time spent with my husband and good friends. See you in October!

Visit the Academy of Dental Management Consultants site

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MPowRx™ Announces Anti-Snoring ‘Tongue Retention Device’

I applaud any effort to silence the sound of snoring. My dad’s snores rumbled the house and I’ve been stuck next to several sleeping beauties on airplanes. This device positions the tongue so it will not block the airway. Sure – it looks a little awkward but if it works, do you really care? Check out their website www.Isleepsound.com for more information.

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CareerFusion Webinar: Create a Successful Whole Mouth Care Program

Join CareerFusion graduate Debbie Sabatini on September 16th @ 8pm EST as she presents a webinar on designing a whole mouth care program that will really make a difference in your patients overall health. Click here to register for this webinar.

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ADIA Webinar: Optimal Peri-Implant Therapy for the Esthetic Patient

The next ADIA member webinar is this Tuesday September 15th and will feature ADIA Fellow Susan Wingrove. The topic is ‘Optimal Peri-Implant Therapy for the Esthetic Patient’ set to begin at 8pm EST. Members should have received a registration email – if you haven’t let us know.

Not a member of the ADIA? Join now – $50 annual dues is well worth a full year of webinars and discounted symposia registration. Click here to visit ADIA’s site.

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Micross & Safescraper® Twist Bone Collectors Now Available In US

Osteogenics Biomedical, the manufacturer of Cytoplast^® barrier membranes and suture, is now the exclusive U.S. distributor of Italian-based medical device manufacturer META’s Micross cortical bone collector. Osteogenics has also gained distribution rights to META’s proprietary Safescraper^® Twist cortical bone collector. Both devices feature a semicircular blade that allows harvesting autogenous bone in hard-to-reach areas. While Micross is the only bone collector that can be used in a tunnel technique, Safescraper^® Twist’s ergonomic design and curved tip allow for easy access in any intraoral site.

Stop by their booth at the AAP meeting this weekend and check them out.

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