Dr. Laura Shaeffer Harkin graduated Cum Laude from Franklin and Marshall College in 1999 with a major in mathematics and a minor in flute performance. In 2008, she graduated from Temple University School of Dentistry and immediately began to live her dream as a family dentist. Her value to the dental team was undeniable, as she shared her spirit for both compassion and perfection.
In addition to the rigorous requirements of dental school, Dr. Harkin has completed level-four training at the prestigious Pankey Institute and has advanced dental implant and restorative credentials. Dr. Harkin has continued to further her education and is a certified Invisalign® dentist.
The Reason I Write Treatment Letters to Each Patient
By: Laura Harkin, DMDThis topic originally appeared on PankeyGram.Org. Dr. Harkin granted igniteDDS permission to share with…
Accurate X-Ray Records: Best Practices for Dental Teams
By: Laura S. Harkin, DMD This Topic Originally Appeared On Pankeygram.Org Radiographic imaging is an important diagnostic aid…
Pitting and Erosive Tooth Lesions, What Does it Mean?
By: Jeffrey W. Horowitz, DMD, FAGD, D-ABDSM, D-ASBA Have you ever run into pitting and erosive tooth lesions during your time as a dentist? Here is a case study on my experience with it. Pitting and Erosive Tooth Lesions: Case Study Patient Information: Etiology of Tooth Structure Loss Tooth erosion happens when acids wear away…
Why Don’t Physicians Refer to Dentists?
By: Teresa DeNike There is growing evidence in the scientific literature that oral health is linked to the well-being of the rest of the body. A link has been found between poor sleep and periodontitis, with a shocking 36% increase in patients with chronic sleep loss; sleep apnea. Sleep apnea is a condition that dentists…
Facial Asymmetries and Discrepancies, What Does it Mean?
By: Jeffrey W. Horowitz, DMD, FAGD, D-ABDSM, D-ASBA Have you ever run into facial asymmetries and discrepancies during your time as a dentist? Here is a mini presentation on how I dealt with this. Facial Asymmetries and Discrepancies: Case Study Patient A: 13-year-old white female presents for an initial orthodontic evaluation Medical history is positive…
Dear D1s: Welcome to Dental SchoolÂ
By: Savanah Craig Welcome to Dental School! You have worked so hard for this moment, and I want to be the first to welcome you to the most challenging four years of your life! I know that you’re thinking that I’m just another exhausted upperclassman, who is trying to discourage you. A few months ago,…
Chronically Enlarged Tonsils, What Does It Mean?
By: Jeffrey W. Horowitz, DMD, FAGD, D-ABDSM, D-ASBA Chronically enlarged tonsils are a common condition, more likely to happen in children. Chronically enlarged tonsils are associated with: Frequent sore throat, ear, and throat infection. Enlarged adenoids, and poor nasal breathing. Poor nasal breathing leads to mouth breathing. Mouth breathing changes tongue posture. Poor tongue posture…
The Link Between Periodontal Disease and Heart Failure
By: Kevin Henry A new study has given dental professionals yet another reason to talk to their patients about the importance of maintaining their oral health in order to maintain and even improve their overall health. This study was released at the start of July in one of the Journals of the American College of…
Scalloped Tongue, What Does it Mean?
By: Jeffrey W. Horowitz, DMD, FAGD, D-ABDSM, D-ASBA A scalloped tongue is characterized by wavy or rippled edges along its sides. Scalloped tongues are usually not a cause of concern, but if left untreated, they can cause additional complications and symptoms that can harm your dental health. Identifying bad oral habits and diagnosing certain medical…
Professional Identity Formation
By: Savannah Craig Professional Identity Formation is a term I was unfamiliar with until it was brought up last week during my PGY-1 Orientation for my General Practice Residency program. Many of us have a variety of identities (daughter, sister, aunt, son, brother, uncle, etc.), and becoming a dentist requires you to add a new…
Why Aren’t Dentists Screening & Treating Sleep Apnea Patients?
By: Teresa Power DeNike, BS Sleep is a severely overlooked area in dentistry. In 2017, the ADA recommended all dentists screen for sleep apnea (and treat or refer out). Yet only 70% of dentists screen for sleep apnea, and most lack confidence in performing accurate routine screenings. In 2015, the AASM and AADSM recommended oral…
How Dental Assistants Can Deal with Workplace Bullying
By: Dianne Auger, RDH, BS Have you ever loved your position on the dental team, and then it starts to all go downhill? Have you ever thought that being in a profession such as this one that there are no conflicts or acts of workplace bullying? Well, there is! I was just as surprised as you are,…