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Last call: Only a few days left to register in advance for the ADA Annual…
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareProcrastinators unite….tomorrow. Actually procrastinators, this time, it’s OK that you put it off. If you’re a dentist and ADA member, and you’d like to attend the 2018 ADA Annual Meeting in Hawaii, you still can! Well, for a very limited time. There is still time to plan a trip to the meeting and the Hawaiian Islands. Advanced registration will be available until Sept. 21, at 5 p.m. CDT. Prices for the overall meeting and individual CE courses will be higher after that. The meeting will be held in Honolulu from Oct. 18-22. Over the course of the week, participants will have a chance to get involved in an extensive schedule of events, exhibitors and continuing education opportunities.
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New Census data shows uninsured rate remains unchanged
Seth Sandronsky Medical & Allied HealthcareWhat has happened to the rate of insured Americans after a year of the GOP-controlled Congress trying to end the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare? The number of uninsured Americans has remained statistically unchanged, 28.5 million at any time in 2017 versus 28.1 million in 2016, or 8.8 percent of the populace both years, according to Census Bureau data released on Sept. 12. The uninsured rate was 13.3 percent in 2014, when most major provisions of the ACA began, the Census reported.
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Dental benefits deconstructed: Dentists’ top concerns
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareUnsurprisingly, dentists across the nation have lots of questions and concerns when it comes to their patients' dental plans, benefits and third-party payers. From pre-authorization headaches to refund requests, dental benefits can be a confusing topic to navigate. Most dentists would rather be in the exam room, doing what they were trained to do in dental school, rather than trying to decipher benefits rules and policies. This is where the team of experts at the ADA Center for Dental Benefits, Coding and Quality within the Practice Institute really shine.
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Study shows promising new therapy for humans, dogs with Type 1 diabetes
Dorothy L. Tengler Medical & Allied HealthcareIn the U.S. alone, more than 1 million people are living with Type 1 diabetes, and approximately 80 people per day, or 30,000 per year, are newly diagnosed. Despite continual improvements in insulin, insulin delivery methods, and home glucose monitoring methods, most people with Type 1 diabetes do not achieve recommended levels of glycemic control. A new therapy for diabetes might mean that instead of injecting insulin once a day or wearing pumps, those with Type 1 diabetes would just need an injection of collagen mixed with pancreatic cells every few months.
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Assaults on Medicaid: Threats to America’s most vulnerable children
Howard Margolis EducationThroughout America, the 2018 election may prove to be a momentous turning point for parents and supporters of vulnerable children, like children in poverty, children with chronic illnesses, and children with mild-to-profound disabilities. Not voting or voting for the wrong candidate may devastate these children. Ongoing assaults on Medicaid help to explain why. They explain why every vote by Americans who care about these children should reflect their distrust of both the executive branch of government and the current Congress.
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Study shows increased disease risk from childhood secondhand smoke exposure
Dr. Denise A. Valenti Medical & Allied HealthcareChildhood exposure to secondhand smoke has been shown to result in an increased risk of and harm from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This study was undertaken by a group from the American Cancer Society’s Epidemiology Research Program. The conclusions were made after looking at the association of exposures to secondhand smoke in childhood and as adults to death of all causes, including ischemic heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, among 70,900 smoking men and women who never smoked.
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Dentists have opportunity to aid in Venezuelan refugee crisis
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareDental professionals have a unique opportunity to serve in underprivileged parts of the country and even other underserved parts of the world, providing routine preventive dental care and treatments to individuals who would not otherwise have access to dental care in any capacity. The University of California San Diego Pre-Dental Society is looking for dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, medical and dental lab technicians, translators, educators, engineers and all other health-related professionals to take part in a U.S. Navy-led humanitarian mission to South America in the midst of the Venezuelan refugee crisis.
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New study blames 3 factors for rapidly increasing physician burnout
Lynn Hetzler Healthcare AdministrationPhysician burnout is a serious problem, for both providers and for patients. In fact, 83 percent of respondents to an April 2018 survey said that burnout was a moderate or serious problem for many clinicians and clinical leaders in their organization. Burnout among physicians has already reached epidemic proportions, and the percentage of physicians experiencing symptoms of burnout is growing, according to a new paper written by University of California, Riverside School of Medicine doctors.
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In case of emergency: Survey reveals that most dental practices are prepared
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareI love it when a survey confirms good news, don’t you? It’s so much better than the opposite. According to a survey conducted by the ADA Council on Dental Practice earlier this year, nearly 97 percent of American dental practices reported that they had a plan for responding to medical emergencies in the office. Great job, dentists! Dr. Craig Ratner serves as chairman of the Council on Dental Practice for the ADA, and said of the results, "According to the survey, dental practices report that they are largely prepared for medical emergencies that might happen in an office."
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How to cut the stress at your practice
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareAs a physician, do you find yourself feeling depleted, exhausted, and isolated? You're not alone. A new Stanford University School of Medicine study found that at physicians' practices worldwide, the emotional and physical impact of managing daily workload is causing doctors more stress than ever. Out of 6,695 doctors surveyed by the researchers, 55 percent reported feeling burnt out. The good news: there are positive and concrete steps you can take to alleviate your stress, forge stronger bonds with your staff, colleagues and patients, and physically recover so you're refreshed to do your best work.
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