How to become a dental hygienist: What you need to know
Are you interested in becoming a dental hygienist? Here are some things you need to know about preparing for this career.
Removing Saliva Contamination Effectively from Indirect Restorations
By: Dr. Lee Ann Brady, DMD This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org, Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. One of the most common and frustrating challenges with indirect restorations is achieving a strong bond after intraoral try-ins. Saliva contamination during this step is nearly unavoidable, yet even a small amount can…
Equal Pay vs. Fair Pay: What’s Best for Your Practice?
By: Garrett Wilson Compensation is one of the toughest decisions dental offices face. Limited access to reliable data, a lack of clear best practices, and the absence of a consistent structure can make it overwhelming. But one choice every practice must make is whether to follow an equal pay or a fair pay philosophy. Equal…
This Is Just How It Is, Right?
By: Dr. Eric Recker I remember so vividly being in the throes of burnout. My life had gone gray. Nothing excited me. I was under immense pressure running a practice with a team of 18. I was exhausted. I was dying inside. I questioned whether it would matter if I wasn’t here on this earth…
How Dentists Can Be Patient with Their Dental Assistant as They’re Still Learning
By: Ronda Holman Every dentist remembers that awkward learning curve when they first started practicing — the fumbling, the second-guessing, the mental checklist running in the background. Your dental assistant goes through the same thing, but here’s the kicker: they didn’t go to dental school. That means, in the beginning, …and that’s okay. Learning a…
Resin-Bonded Bridges: A Conservative Approach for Missing Lateral Incisors
By: Lee Ann Brady, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. As restorative dentists, our commitment to providing high-quality, lasting dental care is unwavering. Ideally, we’d offer our patients restorative solutions that last a lifetime without needing repair or replacement. However, in reality, no restoration…
The Hidden Power of Strategic Insurance Credentialing for New Dental Practice Owners
By: Angela Holland When you’re a first-time dental practice owner, the thrill of finally running your own show is unbeatable. You’ve got the skills, the vision, and the patients — but here’s the catch: you don’t know what you don’t know. One of the biggest blind spots? Insurance credentialing. Strategic Insurance Credentialing It’s not just…
Building a Highly Productive Schedule with Fewer Patients
By: John C. Cranham, DDS This topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Cranham granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. When I’ve looked at and really studied my practice numbers over the years, my favorite has always been productivity per hour. I have aimed to focus on a low volume of patients who need…
Lessons Learned From Doing Emax Crowns 6–11 as a D4 Student
By: Michael Eid I had the opportunity to help my best friend, Bashar AbuJardeh, on a huge case as a dental student. Although crowning anterior teeth may be routine for a seasoned dentist, it’s a rare and special opportunity in dental school — especially when the case spans from tooth #6 to #11. Working on…
Designing Your Self-Determined Future in Dentistry: A Guide for Dentists & Dental Teams
By: Dawn Patrick, Dental Business Coach IgniteDDS In dentistry, it’s easy to feel like the future is something that happens to you rather than something you shape. Between patient schedules, team needs, insurance headaches, and unpredictable emergencies, most dental teams end up reacting rather than intentionally creating the life and career they want. But the…
The Ideal Floss for Dental Implant Care
By: Dr. Lee Ann BradyThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.org. Dr. Brady granted permission for igniteDDS to share with our readers. Cleaning around posterior dental implants can be a real challenge for patients — especially when it comes to reaching wider gingival embrasures. In my practice, we’ve found one simple solution that makes a big…