Many of my patients ask for recommendations for at-home whitening modalities. How should I determine which is best based on individual patient characteristics? Before considering any over-the-counter (OTC) products or starting any…

One of my patients who I see four times a year for scaling and root planing is opposed to using anything that’s not natural post-therapy. Can you suggest any natural alternatives that offer antimicrobial benefits? Acute inflammation is…

Most of the patients I see are elderly and at elevated risk for root caries. What qualities should I look for in a fluoride varnish that will provide the best results in this population? Fluoride is widely accepted as a safe and…

What are some effective strategies to reduce the risk of cross-contamination in the dental operatory? The dental operatory is a prime source of infection, so surfaces in this area must be properly disinfected to avoid cross…

I wear prescription lenses in my everyday life. How does this impact my choosing the right loupes to best support my vision in clinical practice?

How effective are antimicrobial mouthrinses in reducing caries prevalence among children assessed as high risk? Caries is a multifactorial disease caused by oral microorganisms acting upon sugars and carbohydrates in the presence of…

Should I use chlorhexidine or stabilized chlorine dioxide for one-time subgingival irrigation after scaling and root planing? Chlorhexidine gluconate (0.12%) is known as the gold standard for antimicrobials due to its demonstrated…

Each day I am in the clinic at 7 am, treating patients between 8 am and 6 pm. The owner of my practice has stated that I cannot bill the morning meeting hours, instrument cleaning hours, and any time past 6 pm. It takes me a few hours to…

How can I ascertain whether the fees for the procedures I am providing are appropriate? I have had patients ask me about the costs involved for specific treatments and I am not sure how to handle this. Dentists can charge whatever they…

What sterilization protocol do you suggest to ensure our instruments are truly sterilized but will be simple for all dental team members to follow?