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Parts of Obamacare deemed unconstitutional by DOJ
Joan Spitrey Healthcare AdministrationEver since the 2010 Affordable Care Act went into effect, it has been entrenched in court battles. One controversial provision in the law was that if Americans chose not to get health insurance, they faced a potential penalty. In 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court upheld Congress' ability to fine those who did not get health insurance as it deemed the financial penalty basically a tax. However, on June 7, the Justice Department said that the requirement for people to have insurance — the individual mandate — was unconstitutional.
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Improvements in dental aligners may make them even more popular
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareMore than 5 million Americans seek orthodontic treatment each year, according to the American Association of Orthodontists. Treatment plans often include traditional braces or aligners; a set of customized plastic pieces that shift improperly aligned teeth slightly over time. Most notably, aligners have a better aesthetic than traditional metal braces and can be removed for special events or when eating, making them easier to deal with.
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Negotiating commercial leases: Don’t give post-dated checks
Dale Willerton and Jeff Grandfield RetailFor many commercial tenants, negotiating a good lease or lease renewal against an experienced agent or landlord can be a challenge. While an entrepreneur focuses on marketing and managing, savvy real estate agents and brokers are specialized salespeople. Their job is to sell tenants on leasing their location at the highest possible rental rate. Whether you are leasing a new location for the first time or negotiating a lease renewal for your business, here are two money-saving tips.
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Ways to calm an anxious dental patient
Lisa Mulcahy Oral & Dental HealthcareSure, you can break out the gas or needle to sedate a nervous patient in your chair — but setting a accepting, relaxing and communicative atmosphere in your practice can actually be a better way to calm things down. These simple and research-proven tips can help your patients relax, and see you as an empathetic professional who has their emotional comfort, as well as their physical comfort, as a priority.
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Dental leaders focus on international volunteerism
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareMedical professionals volunteering and serving in underserved areas around the world is a common (and positive!) reality today. Dentistry is well-represented in this arena. And for good reason. The mouth is a key indicator of a person’s overall health. It can show signs of physical, emotional and even mental health. In some countries, there are few opportunities for adults and children to have access to dental care and oral hygiene education.
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How to prepare family caregivers to give the best post-hospital care
Lisa Mulcahy Medical & Allied HealthcareMore than 40 million relatives in the U.S. provide unpaid care to chronically ill moms, dads, spouses, children and others, according to statistics from the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP. Caregiving is a supremely selfless, medically complex and challenging task, yet there are ways to make the process easier for the family members who will undertake it. This piece will cover essential strategies for preparing your hospitalized patient's family member to become a confident and effective caregiver.
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Should you brush your teeth before or after eating breakfast?
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareWho even cares about Yanny and Laurel? That is so last week. For dentists, a more important either/or debate centers on whether people should brush their teeth before or after breakfast. No, really. It turns out the order in which we perform our morning rituals (namely, teeth brushing) can impact the health of our teeth over the long haul. As dental professionals, we should present a unified front on this important topic.
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Stigmatizing language in medical records might affect a patient’s…
Lynn Hetzler Medical & Allied HealthcareClinicians who use stigmatizing language in their patients’ medical records might be affecting the future care those patients receive, according to a new study. Healthcare disparities can prevent patients from getting the diagnostic and treatment services they need. Clinician bias plays a role in these healthcare disparities. When practitioners review notes and descriptions entered on previous visits, the language used in those notes might play a role in the treatment of that patient. Stigmatizing language may even affect how aggressively doctors manage that patient’s pain on subsequent encounters.
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OTC pain relievers proven to be more effective than opioids in treating…
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareWith opioid misuse and abuse on the rise across the nation, it’s not surprising physicians and dentists are occupying prime seats at the table in the quest to find a viable solution for the best way to treat patients with chronic pain. A recent study conducted at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland asserts that ibuprofen and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) alone or in combination with acetaminophen are actually better at easing dental pain than opioids. These findings are supported by new research conducted with the university's School of Dental Medicine.
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Free webinar gives guidance on coordination of benefits for dental professionals
Tammy Hinojos Oral & Dental HealthcareEven in a very polarized political climate, there is at least one thing most Americans can easily agree on. Health insurance is frustrating. Whether you’re a provider or a benefit recipient, navigating health insurance, with all its complexities and constant changes, is a challenge. The American Dental Association is taking a proactive position in helping its members understand key areas; namely benefits.
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