1. In the news: “More Reasons To Hate the Dentist”—not an easy title, but the issues of overtreatment and unnecessary treatment it takes on are real. Two journalists took a deep dive into dental fraud, including the well-known case of John Lund, the California dentist whose egregious overtreatment over many years included 18 root canals on the same patient.
2. Trending: A London-based dentist has gone viral in a TikTok video about mouthwash. In it, Anna Peterson says that using mouthwash after brushing washes away the toothpaste’s high-concentration fluoride and recommended that people use mouthwash at times that are separate from brushing. (The ADA states that you may choose to use mouthwash before or after brushing based on personal preference.)
3. Personal and professional wellness: The biennial ADA Dentist Health and Well-Being Conference will feature sessions and speakers focused on building resilience in turbulent times. Developing Strategies for Building Resilience Through Human Connection and Peer Support is a virtual event on Aug. 13 from 9:30 a.m.- 4 p.m. CDT and offers five CE credits.
4. Patient resource: Amanda Hill, RDH, wants patients to know what's really going on in their mouths so they can take better care of themselves and prevent longer-term issues before they start. Dear Patient: That gunk on your teeth is alive explains biofilm and its harmful effects.
5. ICYMI: Dental professionals are no longer advised to avoid aerosol-generating procedures for all patients—only to take precautions with patients who have suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Read the updated recommendations.
