Caption this photo and have fun with it; dentistry is a great profession!

This article first appeared in the newsletter, DE's Breakthrough Clinical with Stacey Simmons, DDS. Subscribe here.

Give a man a toothbrush,and he can have the potential for a clean mouth. Teach a man to brush, and he can clean his teeth for a lifetime. There’s my twist on the famous Chinese proverb, “Teach a man to fish.” Here’s the ironic part—it’s true! How many toothbrushes have you given out in your practice? How many times have you (and your entire staff for that matter) reviewed home-care techniques? And how many times do you wonder if some patients actually use the right side of the toothbrush? You’re shaking your head and smiling because you know you’ve been there, just like I have!

The dynamics of dentistry (for the most part) are consistent for all of us, regardless of our geographical differences and practice philosophies. Yet, despite all of that, you have to admit that dentistry is a pretty sweet profession and we have to have fun with it, hence my inside-looking-out picture with the ginormous mouth mannequin. So to capitalize on that, here’s my challenge to you: Caption my picture and send it to us at [email protected]. The best caption wins a prize of some kind! I’m not sure yet what that prize will be, but it will be cool. The winner will be announced in a future issue of Breakthrough Clinical.

Got saliva? Just what are the latest developments with regard to technology, and how we can improve its role in maintaining the balance in the home-care battle? Ever wonder how an endodontist thinks and what the answers are to some of the most common questions general practitioners have about root canal treatment? A physician sends a patient to you because she believes this patient has an abscessed tooth, but does she really? I ask a lot of questions that you may as well. Here’s the good news: The answers are in this month's newsletter. Keep on reading!

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