Find out what your peers are reading this month from the quick-takes below and links to read the full articles. We’ve chosen top pieces of content from DentistryIQ, Dental Economics, RDH, and Perio-Implant Advisory based on reader interest.
If you have colleagues who aren’t familiar with our brands, please share. Stay tuned for more great content to help you in your career.
DentistryIQ
3 toothpastes to use with caution (or avoid completely)
When it comes to toothpaste, there are lots of choices—but are they all equal? Definitely not, says David R. Rice, DDS, and he wants to share the ones to use cautiously, or not at all.
So many toothpaste choices. They must all be about the same, right? Wrong, says David R. Rice, DDS, chief editor of DentistryIQ—and in this gallery, he shares which toothpastes you should use with caution, why he feels that way, and how to ensure you're making the right choice. See the full slideshow.
Herpes: How to treat it fast
As a virus, oral herpes tends to hide itself in places where it’s very difficult to treat. But you can take steps to make sure that the outbreak is from limited to none. Join the discussion in Medical History Mysteries.
My coresident in my residency always said, “Herpes gets the last laugh.” As dental professionals, we see herpes in our patients all the time, whether it’s on their lips or inside their mouth.
Join us in this episode of Medical History Mysteries as we take a closer look at this incredibly painful condition. Watch the full episode.
Dental Economics
Dental industry salary trends in 2025: The results are in!
Compensation in the dental industry has shifted significantly over the past few years. Discover key insights from the latest DentalPost Industry Salary Report, including salary trends, job satisfaction, and what truly matters to dental professionals in 2025.
Compensation and staffing struggles have played a significant role in the lives of practice owners for the past few years, but expectations around salary could be leveling off, according to the results of the latest DentalPost Dental Industry Salary Report.
Conducted from October to November 2024, the DentalPost and Endeavor Business Media survey gathered responses from more than 3,500 dental professionals, covering income and benefits, hours, job turnover, retirement plans, and more for dentists, hygienists, and front-office specialists. The results help show where dental industry salary trends in 2025 are headed. Read the full article.
A dentist's perspective on common claims about fluoride
Unpack the controversy surrounding water fluoridation with this scientifically backed analysis of its benefits, misconceptions, and public health impact.
There have been so many claims recently made by politicians and so called “experts” relative to fluoridated water. Here, I address what I believe are the four most trendy and controversial claims. Again, these are just my thoughts backed by the literature.
The decision to add fluoride to drinking water was based on scientific research conducted in the early 20th century, showing significantly lower rates of tooth decay in areas with naturally high fluoride levels in drinking water. In 1945, Grand Rapids, Michigan, became the first US city to fluoridate its water as part of a public health initiative aimed at reducing dental cavities. The ADA and CDC endorse water fluoridation as a safe and effective public health measure for reducing cavities across all age groups. Read the full article.
RDH
Oral manifestations and clinical considerations in patients with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Tonya Rebhahn, RDH, writes about her chronic illness journey involving Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS). She offers a look into the oral manifestations and clinical considerations for patients with EDS.
Prior to becoming chronically ill, I was a full-time dental hygienist for 12 years. I was very passionate about my career, but my health and tremors cut short my ability to perform clinical hygiene. I am thankful, however, for the knowledge and experience I gained throughout that time period.
Maybe some things have changed since I was in practice in 2015, but Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) was never discussed when I was in school and taking continuing education courses. For that matter, we rarely touched on any oral manifestations of the less common diseases. It seemed that when disease-related oral manifestations were mentioned, it was always in relation to diabetes or heart disease. I never heard of EDS or any of the other similar connective-tissue diseases that I learned about later. I suppose it makes sense to cover only the more common problems we, as hygienists, would be facing; after all, there is only so much time to devote to the curriculum. Read the full article.
When to refer to a periodontist: Common clinical findings and risk factors
When is it time to refer a patient to a periodontist? Here's a list of common clinical findings and risk factors to help with that decision.
As hygienists know, very little in dentistry is black and white. This can be frustrating when you’re trying to make clinical decisions and provide the best care, or when determining whether to refer a patient to a periodontist for surgical treatment and periodontal disease management.
To provide some help with this dilemma, I’ve put together a list of common clinical findings and risk factors to help hygienists through periodontist referral decision-making. Although each patient is unique and there are some discrepancies in the comfort levels of practitioners handling periodontitis patients, hopefully this list will provide some guidance. Read the full article.
Perio-Implant Advisory
Red light therapy: A comprehensive overview for dental professionals
Red/infrared light therapy has many therapeutic applications in dentistry. While traditionally used in dermatology and skin care esthetics, RLT can be used for periodontal, endodontic, and ulcerative oral treatments.
Red light therapy (RLT) has been gaining in popularity among medical and dental professionals as a safe and effective treatment option that can help speed up recovery times for certain injuries or ailments. RLT, also called photobiomodulation or low-level light therapy, is the process of diffusing concentrated wavelengths of natural light into the skin/mucosal lining of the mouth to treat various ailments by improving the functioning of cells. It is a form of specialized treatment that uses wavelengths of red and near-infrared light to stimulate healing and repair processes within the body. Red and near-infrared light occupies the “long end” of the visible spectrum with wavelengths of 630–940 nm. This article will outline what RLT is, how it works, its potential health benefits, and how to apply it within the dental profession. Read the full article.
Black tongue: What is it, and how is it treated?
A black hairy tongue can be startling to patients, but it is benign. Dr. Scott Froum explains the etiology of black hairy tongue and offers recommendations for treatment.
Black hairy tongue (appearance of a black tongue)—also known as lingua villosa nigra—is a black appearance on the top (dorsal surface) of the tongue and growth of the papillae on the tongue that make it appear as if hair is growing there. While it is named black hairy tongue, the tongue can also appear brown, yellow, green, or bluish. Black hairy tongue typically does not hurt, but bad breath (halitosis), altered taste (dysgeusia), dry mouth (xerostomia), and/or burning of the tongue can occur. Read the full article.
