The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology, a 501(c)(3), not-for-profit educational foundation, dedicated to furthering dental laboratory technology education, is announcing that it is making all of its Foundation Learning Library courses available to the dental laboratory community at no charge through May 31, 2020.

“We know that CDTs and RGs are seeking virtual continuing education right now, more than ever, with meetings such as DLAT, MDLA and WSDLA being rescheduled and LMT West being cancelled,” said Sean Siegel, Foundation Chair. “We also know that educational institutions are being asked to go virtual and are looking for high-quality online education to supplement their curriculum.”

The Foundation Learning Library at www.dentallabfoundation.org/courses, offers almost 100 on-demand courses, available 24/7/365, covering topics such as occlusion, esthetics, implants, sleep apnea, digital dentures, CAD/CAM, 3D printing and much more. “Many of these courses have been generously underwritten or donated by our wonderful supporters and we felt this was a great way to give back to the community that has given so much to helping dental laboratory technology education,” said Gary Iocco, Foundation Vice Chair.

Most courses are approved through the National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology for CDT/RG credits and courses are available to stream for 90 days once purchased.  “As of now, we have opened the entire platform up until May, 31, 2020,” said Shawn Nowak, Foundation Fiscal Officer.  “We will continue to monitor new developments, however, and pivot where (or when?) we need to.”

Use coupon code DLTFoundation at checkout through May, 31, 2020 to access all online courses for free through the Foundation Learning Library atwww.dentallabfoundation.org/courses. “We hope that this will help our community in need right now,” said Siegel.  “It is critical that we all come together to make it through these challenging times.”

With the current health crisis making it difficult for doctors to see patients in-office, practices are looking for alternative ways to provide care. Fortunately, Carestream Dental will be partnering to launch a teledentistry solution to help provide remote care.

Having the ability to connect remotely with patients is an ideal way to communicate without close physical contact. Teledentistry provides an easy way for patients to connect and receive immediate help and professional advice.

“Carestream Dental is excited to be launching a teledentistry solution,” Ed Shellard, D.M.D. chief dental officer, Carestream Dental, said. “The COVID-19 virus highlights the need to offer a remote solution to interact with patients and this will help deliver a timely answer.”

Please register at www.carestreamdental.com/teledentistry to receive more information.

About Carestream Dental

Carestream Dental is committed to transforming dentistry, simplifying technology and changing lives. In this pursuit, we focus on providing the latest in high-quality scanning technology, the smartest chairside systems, the most intuitive practice management software, incredibly accurate imaging software and the data intelligence that helps continually refine patient outcomes. And we offer these solutions for the full range of dental and oral health professionals. For more information please visit carestreamdental.com.

New study uncovers patient preferences when it comes to care, communication and billing from dental care providers

Weave, the complete business toolbox for service-based businesses and one of the fastest-growing companies in tech, today announced new research detailing the dental habits and preferences of Americans to help bring attention to World Oral Health Day today.

Weave commissioned an independent study of over 1,100 people to learn more about their dental care hygiene habits and their preferences for interacting with their dental care providers.

Weave commissioned an independent study of over 1,100 people to learn more about their dental care hygiene habits and their preferences for interacting with their dental care providers. The data shows that most patients prefer more "modern" dental practices--those who send both appointment reminders and payment requests via text messages. The study also reveals several darker data points illustrating the poor oral health habits of some respondents, based on laziness or forgetfulness, when it comes to good oral hygiene.

"Being a dentist is tough, not just because caring for teeth is a complex profession, but because most patients don't like going to the dentist. Many people are fearful of dental visits because their poor oral hygiene habits almost always end in painful treatments," said Jeff Lyman, Chief Product Officer at Weave. "Weave helps dental care providers create a less stressful experience for patients by simply making things easier. From automated appointment reminders, to a receptionist knowing which patient is calling before they answer the phone and having their chart in front of them during the call, to accepting payments via text--Weave helps provide a customized experience for patients that alleviates some of the stress of dental care."

Some key data points from the study include:

   • 41% of patients would forget to schedule a cleaning if they didn't receive a reminder from their dentist.

   • More patients like to be reminded about dental appointments by text than by phone call or email.

   • 86% of patients say they will pay attention to a text from their dentist.

   • More people say bad breath is a dating dealbreaker than being broke.

   • Nearly 60% of people who avoid going to the dentist regret it.

   • 41% of patients would prefer to pay their dental bill via text but only 12% say their dentist accepts text payments.

   • Nearly 70% of patients would gladly leave an online review if their dentist sent them a link to do so.

   • 74% of respondents want someone else to tell them if they have bad breath but 77% definitely aren't comfortable telling someone else they have bad breath.

   • 30% of people have had their day ruined because they walked around with something stuck in their teeth without knowing.

   • 23% of patients want more laughing gas but are embarrassed to ask.

   • 50% of people avoid smiling because they don't like their teeth.

   • 53% of patients have gone over 3 years without getting their teeth checked.

   • Top moments ruined by food stuck in teeth include job interviews, first dates, work presentations, having sex, family photos, wedding photos, and speaking in public.

To learn more about Weave's complete business toolbox, including solutions for dental care providers, please visit www.getweave.com.

About the study

Weave commissioned independent market research firm TrendCandy to survey a random sample of 1,137 dental patients around the US. The study was conducted in February 2020 and has a margin of error of +/-2.9% at the 95% confidence level.

About Weave

Weave is the complete business toolbox for service-based businesses. From the first phone call to the final invoice, Weave provides personalized, relevant, and effective solutions for the entire customer journey. Weave's unique integration of hardware and software solutions help streamline and simplify business growth, retention, and communication. With over 13,000 customers, Weave was the first Utah company to join Y Combinator and has received several renowned awards, including the Fortune 100 Best Small & Medium Workplaces 2019, Forbes 2019 Cloud 100, the 2019 Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies in America, Glassdoor's 2019 and 2020 Best Places to Work and 2019 Top CEOs. To learn more, visit www.getweave.com/newsroom/.

The National Association of Dental Laboratories released the following statement on March 20:

The National Association of Dental Laboratories is keenly aware of the business challenges and confusion that our members are facing relative to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

NADL has created an ever-growing list of focused resource links to help members with questions on a variety of issues. NADL is working as carefully as possible to only post resource links from validated sources. 

NADL continues to post new information primarily on its NADL Facebook Page and What's In Your Mouth Facebook Page, as those mediums facilitate faster distribution across various audiences. If you have not liked these pages or are not a follower of these Facebook pages, please do so, as NADL can post the most up-to-date information more frequently on those communication mediums. NADL has been posting updates on Facebook sometimes 4-5 times a day.

NADL's Board of Directors has discussed the COVID-19 pandemic on a recent conference call, and NADL staff is in frequent communication with the NADL Executive Committee Officers within the Board. NADL staff is in communication daily with the American Dental Association and is also in communication with various federal government agencies.

NADL as an association, recognizes that dental laboratory owners, managers, and technicians are extremely concerned with what has already occurred in our profession as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These concerns are primarily focused on infection control (for work that may be coming in, although cases are certainly declining daily) based on Executive Orders of State Governors or State Boards of Dentistry.

The other primary areas of focus are on the impact of lack of work on operating revenue for the business and resulting paths that owners are facing relative to short and long term human resource decisions on layoffs, furloughs, reductions in pay, and reduction in working hours. 

More and more state governors are passing executive orders for hospitals, ambulatory surgery centers, and dental offices on restrictions of care. These actions are twofold: 1) to mitigate what is expected to be a shortage in the supply chains of personal protective equipment and 2) to facilitate social distancing. The executive orders also vary in length with some states extending these requirements into June 2020. These orders and the duration of these orders can be reduced or extended based on conditions in a specific state.

To help dental laboratories understand how most states are addressing dental office requirement, the following list illustrates what dentists are allowed to perform. Again, each state may modify this general list based on conditions, and the number of cases in their state. For the most up-to-date information on dental office requirements in a specific state, visit the website of the State Board of Dentistry or state dental association in your state.

The following is a statement from the American Dental Association.

Dental emergencies, according to the ADA, “are potentially life threatening and require immediate treatment to stop ongoing tissue bleeding [or to] alleviate severe pain or infection.” Conditions include uncontrolled bleeding; cellulitis or a diffuse soft tissue bacterial infection with intraoral or extraoral swelling that potentially compromises the patient’s airway; or trauma involving facial bones that potentially compromises the patient’s airway.

•    Aesthetic dental procedures.​

NADL is submitting a letter to the U.S. Department of Labor advocating for clarity on how businesses, including dental laboratories under 50 employees, can demonstrate that meeting current federal laws on "paid leave" and "FMLA" can result in actual closure/shutting of the doors of some businesses.

NADL staff is on the phone in some cases over ten hours a day, working with individual dental laboratories to help direct them to appropriate outside legal, human resource, and tax service providers that can assist them in their specific situation. Each scenario is different given the size of the dental laboratory, demographics of that laboratory's workforce, and geographic location (based on local or state guidance or mandates).

NADL is working diligently to assist as many people as it can in a quickly changing economic and regulatory environment. Please continue to visit NADL's news page on https://www.nadl.org and its social media platforms for the most up to date information.

These resources are categorized by subject matter.

General Business Links

https://www.insperity.com/blog/covid-19-pandemic/

From NADL’s Business Services Affinity Partner

https://www.insperity.com/blog/3-steps-dealing-workplace-tension-caused-current-events/

From NADL’s Business Services Affinity Partner

https://www.insperity.com/blog/motivating-employees-in-uncertain-times/​

From NADL’s Business Services Affinity Partner

https://www.covid19.polsinelli.com/blog/congress-gets-in-the-act-families-first-coronavirus-response-act

From NADL’s Outside Law Firm

https://www.covid19.polsinelli.com/blog/manufacturers-distributors-and-retailers-covid-19-forces-you-to-consider-your-contractual-remedies

From NADL’s Outside Law Firm

https://www.covid19.polsinelli.com/

From NADL’s Outside Law Firm

State by State Summary of Board of Dentistry Actions on Practice Closures and Procedures

https://www.nnoha.org/download/covid-19-coronavirus-resources/

American Dental Association Guidance on COVID-19

https://success.ada.org/en/practice-management/patients/~/link.aspx?_id=6C881EF4A7884989A80BA475F9A116ED&_z=z

https://success.ada.org/en/practice-management/patients/coronavirus-frequently-asked-questions

Business Links Related to Wage and Hour; Disaster Relief Programs

https://disasterloan.sba.gov/ela/Declarations/Index  - The U.S. Small Business Administration is offering designated states and territories low-interest federal disaster loans for working capital to small businesses suffering substantial economic injury as a result of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Upon a request received from a state’s or territory’s Governor, SBA will issue under its own authority, as provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act that was recently signed by the President, an Economic Injury Disaster Loan declaration.

https://www.sba.gov/about-sba/sba-newsroom/press-releases-media-advisories/sba-provide-disaster-assistance-loans-small-businesses-impacted-coronavirus-covid-19

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/?type=SBA%20Regional%20Office&pageNumber=1

Contact List of Regional SBA Offices

https://www.sba.gov/local-assistance/find/?type=SBA%20District%20Office&pageNumber=1

Contact List of District SBA Offices

Some states may offer state business loan assistance outside of the SBA national program. To determine if your state has such resources, look for local programs at:

https://eda.gov/resources/

https://www.economicdevelopmenthq.com/economic-development-agencies/united-states/

https://www.ready.gov/business-impact-analysis

https://www.ready.gov/pandemic​

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/fact-sheets/70-flsa-furloughs

Wage and Hour Guidance 

https://nadl.org?gabnbk

Employee Pay and the Coronavirus

From NADL’s Outside HR Firm

Business Guidance on COVID-19 from OSHA and CDC (including infection control)

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/about/index.html

https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3990.pdf

https://dentallabs.org/managing-the-coronavirus-in-a-dental-lab-or-dental-practice-setting/

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/guidance-business-response.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fspecific-groups%2Fguidance-business-response.html

State and Local COVID-19 Response Information

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRlJWZJ7OkGUW57_rdA2n3xBJ3qjW6u4Z9N6K9Y5L4bM_6H7-S308qdKmJfpVstYWf300nyujvZPFSy/pubhtml?urp=gmail_link

Footnote:

Many NADL members have had questions on “non-essential vs. essential businesses”. To NADL’s knowledge there is no federal guidance, definition or checklist that has been established to define how dental laboratories are classified. These classifications are being left to states or local (counties and cities) to make those determinations. NADL members should sign up for alerts from their state and local government entities to get the most real time local information on this subject.

Many NADL members have had questions on ADA’s role with dental practices. ADA is a nonprofit organization just like NADL. ADA is a not a government agency, it has no authority to mandate its members to do anything as it relates to guidance. It can only provide recommendations.

Only government entities, at the federal, state or local level, including State Boards of Dentistry can put forth mandates that direct dental offices relative to full or partial closure, providing only urgent or emergency care, etc.

Dental laboratories are faced with making tough decisions relative to business continuity, considering layoffs, furloughs, reduction in pay for employees. Each situation is case specific and dental laboratory owners/managers should consult with outside Human Resource professionals if you do not have an inside/in house Human Resource department or personnel. These types of significant decisions should be measured for both short and long term implications.

NADL will continue to update this document with additional resources as we are able to.  Have an additional resource that would be helpful to include or have additional questions? Please contact NADL by phone at (800) 950-1150 or by email at nadl@nadl.org. 

Applauds the efforts of World Oral Health Day in raising awareness

Today, Delta Dental Plans Association issued a joint statement in partnership with the Delta Dental Institute in recognition of World Oral Health Day.

"We are proud to say that oral health is gaining more attention as a key component in achieving optimal overall health," said Steve Olson, President and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association.  "According to new data from Delta Dental, 93% of Americans agree that oral health is very important to overall well-being.  Moreover, that sentiment is on the rise – increasing from 85% in 2018. As the nation's leading provider of dental insurance, Delta Dental will continue its leadership in providing materials, platforms, and pathways for Americans to improve their oral and overall health," he concluded.

Delta Dental applauds the efforts of World Oral Health day in raising global awareness about the importance of oral health. In the United States, Delta Dental serves more than 80 million Americans with the core purpose of advancing oral health. In addition, Delta Dental companies invested more than $79 million in 2018 to help children and adults have healthier smiles through improved oral health. That work is being further elevated through the Delta Dental Institute, which was launched in June 2019.

"Oral health is health, and we are proud to join with organizations across the globe to elevate oral health's presence in overall health conversations on World Oral Health day," said Vivian Vasallo, Executive Director of the Delta Dental Institute. "Delta Dental companies across the country are deeply involved in their communities, investing in programs that improve oral health, prevent dental disease, expand access to care, and ensure all Americans can have the healthy smile they deserve."

About Delta Dental Plans Association

Delta Dental Plans Association, based in Oak Brook, Illinois, is the not-for-profit national association of the 39 independent Delta Dental companies. Through these companies, Delta Dental is the nation's largest provider of dental insurance, covering more than 80 million Americans, and offering the country's largest dental network with approximately 156,000 participating dentists. In 2018, Delta Dental companies provided approximately $79 million in direct and in-kind community outreach support to improve the oral health of adults, children and infants in local communities across the country. For more information, visit: deltadental.com.

Follow us on Twitter @DeltaDental and Facebook: Delta Dental Plans Association

About the Delta Dental Institute

The Delta Dental Institute is putting a new spotlight on oral health through its dedication to advancing America's oral health in partnership with Delta Dental member companies and other leading partners across the country. With expertise rooted in Delta Dental's rich history of oral health leadership, the Delta Dental Institute engages in and supports oral health research, community outreach, and advocacy, striving to ensure all Americans can have the healthy smile they deserve and live their healthiest lives. For more information, visit: deltadentalinstitute.com.

Follow us on Twitter @DeltaDentalInst and Facebook: Delta Dental Institute

About World Oral Health Day

World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is celebrated globally every year on March 20.  It is organized by FDI World Dental Federation and is the largest global awareness campaign on oral health.

WOHD spreads messages about good oral hygiene practices to adults and children alike and demonstrates the importance of optimal oral health in maintaining general health and well-being.

About the survey

The Delta Dental Plans Association Adult Oral Health & Well-Being Survey was conducted between December 30, 2019 and January 11, 2020 among 1,055 nationally representative Americans ages 18+, with a margin of error of +/-3.02%.

After careful deliberation, the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Board of Directors has voted to cancel the 36th Annual AACD Scientific Session, scheduled to take place April 22-25 in Orlando.

“For the last several weeks, we have been watching this situation very carefully, with our primary concern being the safety of AACD members,” said AACD President Elizabeth Bakeman, DDS, FAACD. “After monitoring the situation, consulting with attendees and corporate partners, AACD’s Board of Directors and the American Board of Cosmetic Dentistry made the decision to cancel the 2020 Scientific Session. We appreciate stakeholders’ patience and support as we work through this difficult decision. The AACD is here for you in this stressful time. As health care providers, AACD members are needed in our communities. It’s important we stay safe and well.” If you are a dental professional looking for helpful resources during this stressful time, the AACD recommends referencing the Practice Management & Marketing section of their newsroom at www.aacd.com/newsroom. Here the AACD has provided advice on how to navigate uncertain times within your dental practice.

Exhibitors and attendees are encouraged to roll over their registration to AACD 2021 Rockies, which will be held April 14-17, at the Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center in Aurora, Colorado using this link: https://bit.ly/3bazI7m. Refunds are also being issued as requested, but the AACD does politely ask that all current registrants for AACD 2020 Orlando be patient as they are working on how to process the large volume of requests.

The AAE announced several recommended considerations to its 8,000-plus endodontist and dentist members amid COVID-19.

The announcement came at a time when other dental organizations revealed similar recommendations regarding dental care and emergency vs. non-emergency treatment.

“Given the rapid and global spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is the responsibility of everyone – health care providers and fellow citizens – to do everything possible to reduce the spread of this infection,” said Dr. Keith V. Krell, AAE President. “While there is no simple solution to balancing delivery of oral health care and minimizing the spread of the coronavirus, there is much we as endodontists and dentists can do to help reduce its spread.”

Along with these recommendations, the AAE also published on its website, ahead of its publication in the May issue of the Journal of Endodontics, a review co-authored by Dr. Ken M. Hargreaves providing an overview of the epidemiology, symptoms and routes of transmission of COVID-19. In addition, specific recommendations for dental practice are suggested.

“Advance publishing of this very important guidance has been critical in getting our members up to speed on the situation we’re facing,” Dr. Krell said. “In the coming days, we’ll continue to respond accordingly as the situation changes.”

The AAE’s recommendations are as follows:

   • We agree with the CDC as well as professional organizations such as the ADA in recommending postponement of non-urgent oral health care for up to three weeks.

   • Examples of urgent conditions requiring oral health care may include severe dental pain, abscess with lymphadenopathy, or a dental infection-related fever.

   • Some urgent conditions may be treated with appropriate analgesics or antibiotics. A recent report from the British Medical Journal recommends acetaminophen over ibuprofen. While providing pharmacological treatment, practitioners can continue to monitor patient responses by telephone contact.

   • If pharmacotherapy is insufficient, the recent review co-authored by Dr. Ken M. Hargreaves summarizes considerations for appropriate dental care.

   • As of now, the impact of the epidemic varies across the country. Accordingly, the recommendations of our members’ local and state dental societies should be reviewed.

As this pandemic evolves, new recommendations will likely emerge. In addition to updates being made to aae.org/covid, below we provide a list of websites with useful information:

   • COVID-19 Situation Webpage

   • ADA Coronavirus Resource Center for Dentists

   • ISDS Issues Recommendations for Dental Offices Regarding COVID-19

   • New York State Dental Association: Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) 

   • California Dental Association: Urgent COVID-19 Updates

About the American Association of Endodontists

The AAE is headquartered in Chicago and represents more than 8,000 members worldwide. Endodontics is one of 10 dental specialties formally recognized by the American Dental Association. The AAE, founded in 1943, is dedicated to excellence in the art and science of endodontics and to the highest standard of patient care. The Association inspires its members to pursue professional advancement and personal fulfillment through education, research, advocacy, leadership, communication and service. For more information about the AAE, visit the Association’s website at aae.org. For more patient focused information, visit aae.org/patients.

The National Association of Dental Laboratories (NADL) shared COVID-19 resources on its website in light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak.

In 1926, the discipline of Oral Medicine was first introduced in the U.S. and in 1945, under the leadership of Dr. Samuel Charles Miller, The Academy of Oral Medicine (AAOM) was formally organized.¹ Over the past 75 years, the AAOM has contributed to a generation of new knowledge, professional education, dental and medical research needs and oral health services of Oral Medicine for the public. ¹ At its March 2020 meeting, the American Dental Association’s (ADA) National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards reviewed and approved the AAOM’s application for specialty recognition and adopted a resolution recognizing oral medicine as a dental specialty. ² There are now eleven ADA–recognized dental specialties in the U.S.: 1) Dental Anesthesiology, 2) Dental Public Health, 3) Endodontics, 4) Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, 5) Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, 6) Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 7) Oral Medicine, 8) Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, 9) Pediatric Dentistry, 10) Periodontics and 11) Prosthodontics. ³

Specialty recognition of oral medicine will improve awareness of and access to quality care, advance interprofessional healthcare, and improve the health and oral health-related quality of life of the general population. It will reinforce the importance of oral medicine education in dental schools and foster increased interest in pursuing oral medicine residency programs. Specialty recognition will increase access to funding opportunities for clinical-scientists to expand the breadth of oral medicine-related research to improve the human condition.

As an integral component of modern dental education and clinical care, oral medicine has been an emerging specialty in the U.S. for the past 75 years.⁴ Now, Oral Medicine will join its peers as an ADA-recognized dental specialty in the U.S.

Eric T. Stoopler, D.M.D., FDSRCS, FDSRCPS

Immediate Past-President, The American Academy of Oral Medicine

References

1. Tyler MT, Miller CS, Lockhart PB, Patton LL. American Academy of Oral Medicine: 75 years of bringing medicine and dentistry back together. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol 2020; 129(2): 91-94.

2. National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. https://www.ada.org/en/ncrdscb/who-we-are/news-and-meetings; Accessed 09 March 2020.

3. National Commission on Recognition of Dental Specialties and Certifying Boards. https://www.ada.org/en/ncrdscb/dental-specialties/specialty-definitions; Accessed 09 March 2020.

4. Sollecito TP, Rogers H, Prescott-Clements L, Felix DH, Kerr AR, Wray D, et al. Oral medicine: defining an emerging specialty in the United States. J Dent Educ 2013; 77(4): 392 – 394.