trends, innovations, and quirks of dentistry
Did you try to access this guide on the American Dental Association website, but have decided that you don’t want to share your email address with them? Instead, use the link below to view the ADA COVID-19 pandemic recovery guide immediately:
https://success.ada.org/~/media/CPS/Files/Open%20Files/ADA_Return_to_Work_Toolkit.pdf
As a bonus, if you’re in Texas, or are just nosy about the current guidelines for dental practices reopening in this state very shortly, here’s that link as well:
We love sharing good information that empowers dental practices to make unbiased decisions, which is why our friends at SoftwarePundit didn’t even have to send us any sort of payment, contactless or otherwise, to get the word out about their dental software review site. This category of solutions should be on the top of your research list right now, for obvious reasons.
by Bruce Hogan
Traditionally, dental practices have been slower to adopt new technology than other medical practices. Most dental professionals can understand why – implementing new technology is a time consuming and tedious process! However, the benefits of overcoming these barriers are often well worth the pain. Do you remember the days before automated appointment reminders? Without software tools, front-office staff were forced to manually call patients before every appointment!
Practices nationwide are increasingly adopting payment processing technology called contactless payments. Contactless payments refer to a variety of ways that patients can pay for treatments digitally, whether it’s paying through a text message or using a mobile wallet like Apple Pay. Patients are no longer forced to pay by mailing a check.
Why are dental practices starting to offer contactless payments? It’s what patients want! A recent study showed that 35% of customers are interested in paying with a text from their phone, but only 4% of small businesses offer this payment option. Additionally, 62% of buyers under the age of 35 would frequently or always pay with a text from their phone if they could. Allowing patients to pay the way they want to is an effective way to increase revenue and patient satisfaction.
Covid-19 is accelerating the need for dental practices to adopt payment technology. With shelter-in-place orders, patients can’t physically come into your office to pay for treatment they have received. Many practices are understaffed or closed right now, and do not have the capability to print and mail statements. Most importantly, when patients do begin returning to practices, contactless payments will allow patients to pay without any direct physical contact with your team.
There are three primary benefits of contactless payments: they lead to improved operational agility during crises like coronavirus, increased revenue, and reduced administrative workload.
Contactless Payments are Particularly Beneficial During Coronavirus
Contactless payments are ideal during Covid-19 because it allows patients to pay for treatments without being physically close to staff. Practices can use contactless payments to collect payments for services they have rendered prior to the shut down. This would be especially beneficial for cash-strapped practices that need an immediate influx of cash.
Additionally, contactless payments could be a part of the operational changes that practices make to increase safety after reopening. Contactless payments allow patients to maintain a safe distance from front-office staff when making payments. It’s congruent with the social distancing behavior that we’ve been practicing since March.
Finally, contactless payments are a valuable tool for practices that offer teledentistry appointments. After appointments are finished, you can immediately send patients a payment request digitally. This makes the payment process much easier and faster for both parties.
When practices offer patients more options to pay, they pay more often
Weave, a patient communication software company, commissioned an independent market research firm to survey a random sample of 380 small business customers and 350 small business owners to understand their behaviors and perceptions regarding payment options. In this study, the research firm found that small businesses that offer more payment options increased revenue by 29%. The study’s conclusion supports a common sense notion that we, as consumers, can all relate to – we are more likely to pay, if we can pay the way that we want to!
Contactless Payments Makes Billing Easier for You
Contactless payment software also reduces a lot of clerical work for dental practices. Traditionally, the collection process involves printing and mailing statements, entering billing information, and managing merchant accounts. Most contactless payment software automates these tasks for you. For example, the billing process using Weave’s text-to-pay feature involves a single text. The patient inputs their own payment information, and the software automatically processes the payment.
There are several types of contactless payments. While they differ slightly, all share the benefit of patients being able to pay remotely.
Send Payment Requests by Text
Practices can use software tools, like Weave, Podium, and Doctible, to send payment requests by text. You simply enter the patient’s phone number, input a treatment amount, and attach a statement. This is much easier than traditional collection methods that involve printing and mailing statements, collecting billing information, and charging each transaction manually! Patients input their own billing information into the text, payments are automatically processed, and the money goes straight into your bank account.
Send Payment Requests by Email
Many software tools allow you to send payment requests by email. The process is similar to sending payment requests by text. You enter the patient’s email address, attach statements, and enter payment amounts. The software takes care of the rest.
Process Payments with a Desktop Application
For patients more comfortable paying for treatment over the phone, many solutions have desktop applications with a payment-processing tool. Front-office staff can input card information directly into the app, and the tool automatically processes the payment.
Receive Payments Through Mobile Wallets
Many patients prefer paying for treatment using a mobile wallet, like PayPal OneTouch and Apple Pay. Making this payment option available makes the billing process more convenient for your patients.
Here’s a list of steps that we recommend when searching for the right vendor. Typically, the process takes about 1-2 months from initial research to completed software implementation.
Make a list of the vendors in the market that interest you. We recommend Doctible, Podium, and Weave to get your list started.
While doing your research, keep an eye out for the most important qualities in the vendors. This includes price, features, and quality of customer service. SoftwarePundit provides in-depth analysis on many vendors that provide contactless payments. Check them out!
One of the best ways to learn about vendors is to speak with customers who have used the product first hand. Customers will typically speak candidly about what they like and dislike about the product, and give you a clear idea of what you should expect. SoftwarePundit for Dentists is a Facebook group created to serve as a platform for dentists to discuss dental software.
Reach out to each vendor, and begin the sales process. The sales process typically involves a series of steps including:
Finding the right software to implement contactless payments can be a confusing process. Our job at SoftwarePundit is to make this process easier, and help you pick the best software that fits you and your team’s style and needs. Come visit our website if you have any questions about contactless payments in dentistry!
Bruce Hogan is Co-founder & CEO of SoftwarePundit, a technology research firm that provides advice, information, and tools to help businesses thrive. Bruce has experience investing at multi-billion dollar private equity firms, leading teams at venture-backed Internet companies, and launching new businesses.
Ever since you were a kid, you’ve known this: there’s a comfort that settles through you right before getting dental x-rays. You notice when the heavy shield gets draped over your shoulders and tummy that it’s a bit easier to relax, to open your mouth and let the dental professional twist things in your mouth at weird angles.
That comfort is called Deep Touch Pressure. It’s what swaddled babies feel with a tightly-wrapped blanket, what dogs experience when they wear a Thundershirt, and what up until recently has been known as a soothing technique primarily for kids and adults who are on the autism spectrum.
When Deep Touch Pressure is applied over a wide area, it switches the body from running its sympathetic nervous system to its parasympathetic nervous system. Deep touch pressure gives a sense that it’s okay to leave the “flight or fight” mode and settle into a “rest and digest” mode instead.
The sympathetic nervous system engages when you anticipate anything that is challenging, scary, or painful, while the parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for releasing feel-good endorphins, relaxing muscles, and creating a sense of peace and calm.
To review, then, this person has their Sympathetic Nervous System fully engaged:
Next, look at this little puppy enjoying its Parasympathetic Nervous System response:
No rhetorical questions here. You know you could just be the puppy forever.
There are stories like this one from Dr. Spindel’s blog that tell of patients wanting to keep the lead vest on for their entire appointment as a sort of security blanket. Only unlike her, once the x-rays are taken, most of us are nakedly shocked back into anxious uncertainty with the removal of the deep touch pressure feeling.
Um, hello?
You know exactly where this is going, right?
Pretty much every retail and online shop sells Deep Touch Pressure products now. This therapy is found in the form of weighted blankets which are much more comfortable and heavier than lead shields so yay!
If you’re a patient who gets a little anxious going to the dentist and you already have a weighted blanket that you shelled out $200 for when they first became available, try bringing the blanket to your next appointment to see if it helps.
And for those dental professionals reading this, you might consider getting a few weighted blankets for your office. You can find them as low as $50 each but current pricing hovers around $75 these days. Here’s an inexpensive fifteen-pounder seen in the local warehouse store this weekend:
Need something a little more rugged? These weighted blankets from DentaCalm are available in different sizes, can be wiped clean, and come in two colors:
Even people who have been going to the dentist forever get nervous sometimes, like it wells up from some organic “gonna get you” place in our primitive perimeter warning system. Deep touch pressure helps to inhibit dental anxiety. Except for the anxiety within the dentists when slinking into a dental chair to get their teeth cleaned when there’s an opening in the schedule. Their stress comes from the fear that they’re about to be exposed as a fraud by their hygienist if the dentist’s gums bleed even one little speck during their preventive care. Sorry, the weighted blanket is simply not going to make up for not flossing.
Instead of shaming dentists for their questionable home care, then, let’s all get the word out that weighted blankets are more than a fad, or that they’re used as merely an excuse to stay in bed longer in the morning.
Worried about the stigma or mood-altering effects of using laughing gas (nitrous oxide)? Weighted blankets create a similar sense of well-being without masks, drugs, or that loopy feeling. Many practices have already discovered the benefits of weighted blankets, and feature this amenity on their websites as one of the ways they make dental visits easier.
Please share this link with your dental professionals, your patients, and your friends. And as always, DentalBuzz does not use affiliate links or accept ad payments, so feel free to browse the resources list and share your experiences with weighted blankets (or any good deals you discover!) in the comments below.
Resources and further reading:
Can I please wear the heavy vest: https://lspindelnycdds.blogspot.com/2019/05/can-i-please-wear-heavy-vest.html
The Allure of the Weighted Blanket: https://www.brainfacts.org/Thinking-Sensing-and-Behaving/Sleep/2018/The-Allure-of-the-Weighted-Blanket-112918
Penn Medicine: More than just a fad: https://www.pennmedicine.org/updates/blogs/health-and-wellness/2019/february/weighted-blankets
HippoHug: https://hippohug.ca/2018/12/12/anxious-at-the-dentists-office-try-a-weighted-blanket/
TruHugs Research Blog: https://blog.truhugs.com/deep-pressure-stimulation-used-during-various-dental-procedures-to-curb-anxiety-symptoms/
DentaCalm: https:/dentacalm.com
Sommerfly Wipe-Clean Relaxer: https://www.sommerfly.com/collections/wipe-clean-collection/
It’s a no-brainer. Dental hygiene, specifically brushing your teeth, is important. But, if you’re a parent with little kids, it’s not always easy. Kids can be stubborn – especially when every aspect of their life is controlled by their parents. This can quickly turn a two-minute task, like brushing your teeth, into a difficult ordeal and even a chore. But, don’t worry! We’ve asked parents what their go-to tricks are to get their kids to not only brush their teeth, but enjoy doing it.
Tip 1: Make it a competition
There’s nothing like sibling rivalry, and it happens even without parental interference. So, why not use this to get your kids pumped about brushing their teeth? Tell them that the winner is chosen by who has the best -smelling breath after two minutes of brushing their teeth. The prize can be something simple, like a temporary tattoo or a glow stick they can take to bed. If you can’t tell the difference between whose breath is better, just switch up the winner every time, you sneaky parent, you.
Do you only have one child? Then brush your teeth with them and use the two-minutes as a countdown. Once the clock hits 0, use the below tip to see whose teeth are the cleanest.
Tip 2: Use a “Tooth Check” after every brushing
If you don’t think your kids are brushing their teeth properly, take a picture of their smiles after every brush. Then, use the picture to zoom in and show them how icky their teeth are when they don’t brush correctly. Not only will this show them why brushing is important, it’ll hold them accountable so they learn the right way to take care of their teeth.
Tip 3: Show your kids pictures of neglected teeth
This is a classic scare-tactic type tip. If your kids are being stubborn and refuse to brush, show them what it looks like when you don’t take care of your teeth. You can also show them this video that explains what happens to neglected teeth.
Cavities are only the beginning of the painful and gross domino effect that can happen if you don’t take dental hygiene seriously. Research from the American Dental Hygienists Association has found a connection between heart disease and key bacteria in periodontal disease. Also, inflammation in your mouth may cause inflamed arteries which can lead to a stroke. Depending on how old your kids are, you can decide how much of this information is necessary to get them to brush those teeth!
Tip 4: Get fun toothbrushes and decorative cups for mouthwash
As a kid, I hated brushing my teeth. And apparently, I didn’t understand how to do it correctly. I’m the baby of my family with two older brothers. By the time my parents had to teach me – the third child – anything, they would lean on my brothers to show me first. So, they were shocked after a trip to the dentist when my brothers had zero cavities and I had SEVEN. Low and behold, my six year old self was unaware that you are, in fact, supposed to brush behind your teeth, too. I had only been brushing the tops and fronts of my teeth. Nice.
My mom intervened and bought me a new, sparkly teal toothbrush and filled me in on the proper brushing etiquette. She also started buying superhero Dixie cups that made mouth-washing fun. While decorated toothbrushes can be overpriced, try seeing what your local Dollar Tree has for kids’ toothbrushes. You might be surprised to find their favorite cartoon character or color available.
Tip 5: Make brushing your teeth a family affair
As we saw above, kids learn by example. So, brushing your teeth alongside them can help teach them while offering up some time to bond with them. If you travel for work or are in a separate household from your kids at times, you can try video chatting with them while you all brush your teeth and get ready for the day or for bed.
It’s recommended that you brush your teeth twice a day for two minutes in the morning and again before you head to bed. Starting your day and ending your day brushing your teeth together can help your kids establish a routine that they’ll carry on for the rest of their lives!
Caroline Gillard is a public relations professional and 
freelance writer for the health care and financial services industries. As a stand-up comedian on the side (and after the right amount of drinks) she aspires to bring comedy to her writing while providing useful information for her readers.
References:
ADHA: Oral Health-Total Health: Know the Connection. https://www.adha.org/resources-docs/7228_Oral_Health_Total.pdf
Quick Facts: Toothbrushing Infographic. https://www.mouthhealthy.org/~/media/MouthHealthy/Files/A-Z/Infographic_Brushing_102714.pdf
The novelty of seeing someone’s face repeated on another human creates a positive moment of surprise that will be instantly apparent on your own face. Do you feel genuine happiness when you encounter the miracle of identical twins? Well, maybe there’s a dental practice in your area that will engage that joy, one that will take care of that big broad smile that they bring out of you every time you visit.
Duplicate Dentistry is what you’ll get with twins! At least that’s the general idea. Two individuals who chose the same path in life, right down to their profession and where they would live. It makes sense, though, that twins would find a sense of trust and companionship with one another enough to form a complimentary way to be in the world.
It’s pretty common for spouses to meet in college and then to build dental practices together, or for children to follow their parents’ leads and then join them as dentists in the towns where they were raised. Identical twin dentists practicing together is quite exceptional, and rare, which is a little surprising! As an identical twin, it makes sense to weigh your natural clone’s career ideas along with those that you are considering. Then again, it’s a lot to ask someone to join you for eight years of college and then open up a business with you.
That’s exactly what these wonderful people have done, though. They are identical twins who work together to make dentistry a more enjoyable part of their patients’ lives. Keep reading to see if there are a set of twin dentists or orthodontists that are close enough for you to visit.
One of the taglines for this practice is “Laugh Frequently. Smile Proudly.” Dr. Salone, Dr. Lockhart, and the other doctor Lockhart (Lauren’s husband) have been providing family dental care and orthodontics in the Charlotte area with the high level of expertise that comes with the rigorous years of additional training they have all received in their professions. The twins were featured recently on a local morning show where they shared why their practice is a great dental home for all members of the family, from toddlers to grandparents. On their website, Dr. Lauren gives us a taste of what it’s like to be her patient. She states, “I love to laugh, I love to smile, and am excited to share these gifts with you!” If you’re lucky enough to live in the Charlotte, NC area, visit them in their office (a renovated house!) or schedule an appointment with them at DualImageSmiles.com.
1315 Matheson Ave, Charlotte, NC 28205 Phone: (704) 334-6907
Midland, Michigan
Some sets of identical twins can be harder to track down than others! Especially when they’re very humble about themselves. You would think that McLaren Dental would make it well-known that twin dentists would be caring for you! If it weren’t for this article written 15 years ago when the two took over an existing practice in Midland they may not have ever been included here. In the article’s interview, Charles echoes the feelings that many twins have about their lives together. “I have yet to meet any brothers or sisters that are closer than us. That’s the way we grew up,” Charles said. “A lot of our decisions in life were at least in part based on what the other was doing. We’ve both had the same interests and skills. I’ve called him up before, and thought I was talking to myself.” They can be found at McLarenDental.com.
308 Northgate Drive, Midland, MI 48640 Phone: (989) 631-7880
Frisco, Texas
This is the first of THREE (!) sets of identical dental twins in Texas, located in the far north Dallas area of the state. If you don’t see them both on the same day, however, that’s because they now work from two locations in Frisco to make it even more convenient for their patients. What’s it like to visit them? Here’s one reviewer’s take: “Dr. Nooraee and Dr. Gandy are the pinnacle of dentistry, the office has state of the art technology, SUPER sweet staff and convenience is their specialty. (I don’t know who my dentist is as they really are twins) I think I like them both though.” You can request an appointment and more from their website at TwinsFamilyDentistry.com.
8811 Teel Pkwy Suite 270, Frisco, TX 75034 Phone: (972) 335-3000
2626 Stonebrook Pkwy Suite 400, Frisco, TX 75034 Phone: (214) 872-2200
Austin, Texas
Starlight Dental and Orthodontics
Need a dentist (or two) that are fluent Spanish speakers and live in central Texas? It would be surprising to learn that the twins are both undergraduate Spanish majors, until you realized that their education was a continuation of the experience gained as each served as missionaries in Central America for two years. Dr. Kip’s time was spent in El Salvador, while Dr. Cody worked in Costa Rica. They both value building long-term relationships with their patients and providing a level of dental care that will endure as well. Dr. Kip shares his feelings about his work in this way: “l feel extremely blessed and fortunate to provide healthy and beautiful smiles to all those that l treat. I am thankful for the opportunity l have as a dentist to meet and serve so many wonderful people in the Austin area.” You can read more about them at StarLightDentalAustin.com.
10123 Lake Creek Pkwy #2, Austin, TX 78729 Phone: (512) 250-8101
Hodges and Hodges Orthodontics
Austin Hodges and Patrick Hodges are identical twin dentists with additional specialty training as orthodontists. Which means that while you won’t be able to visit them for your regular dental care, they can make sure that you and your family’s teeth are in the best possible position to enhance your smile. Their childhood orthodontist in Amarillo hired them once they both graduated from Texas A&M University, and after his retirement, they moved to a new office built on the family land that is shared by their dad’s veterinary practice. Dr. Austin and Dr. Patrick were drawn to dentistry as their profession after participating in mission trips to Mexico with local dentists and experiencing profound gratitude from the people they served during those visits. Why did they choose to practice together? In this recent Amarillo Globe-News interview, Patrick addressed the question. “It’s never been a plan that was set in stone, but we always thought it would be nice to work together. We were roommates for almost 30 years, so we figured we’d be pretty good (business) partners.” They now have three locations where Texas panhandle residents can get their teeth straightened. To view a tour of their offices, visit HodgesAndHodgesOrtho.com.
5212 S Coulter St, Amarillo, TX 79119 Phone: (806) 353-9862
1801 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79015 Phone: (806) 353-9863
1401 E. 1st St, Dumas, TX 79029 Phone: (806) 353-4442
Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Rhodes & Rhodes Family Dentistry
Meet BeBe and MeMe, the Rhodes twins who grew up in Sawyerville, Alabama. They’ve been practicing together in Tuscaloosa since 2013 and work with a loving group of dental staffers that know how to put patients first. Although they still practice under their original last name, both dentists are married, and enjoy spending their time serving their communities. After obtaining undergraduate degrees at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Belinda and Melinda earned their DDS degrees from The University of Michigan School of Dentistry. Learn more about the Rhodes and the rest of their team at RhodesFamilyDental.com.
6000 Old Greensboro Rd, Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 Phone: (205) 409-9088
The Rothan brothers may not be exact duplicates of one another, but as twins that have practiced together for over 30 years, they deserve a place in this lineup. They are known for their ability to provide a wide range of dental services so that patients can have both general care and specialty care provided in the same office without needing referrals to other dentists. You’ll find that everyone in the practice is down-to-earth yet professional, and that they have the experience and technology needed to make dentistry less scary. Most importantly, Dr. Dave and Dr. Mike focus on prevention so that their patients are less likely to need more complex care in the first place! You can schedule a free virtual consultation online at TwinDental.com.
11430 Hamilton Ave Suite 1002, Cincinnati, OH 45231 Phone: (513) 825-6111
TWINkling Smiles of Baton Rouge
How do you know that your dentist has the right focus to take care of children? When that dentist originally wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. Both Katina and Kredenna were studying at Southern A&M College when a recruited suggested that they should look into becoming pediatric dentists instead of kindergarten teachers. They now practice independently, but that doesn’t mean they practice alone. On two Saturdays a month, the twins operate a satellite pediatric dental facility in Oakdale, Louisiana where they provide joint care to underserved kids, and they mentor each other throughout the week. Their slogan, “Twins Making Tiny Smiles Twinkle” helps them fulfill both their professional purpose as well as deepening their personal worldview. Katina expressed this to the News Star in 2018, stating, “When I talk about my journey, I always include my sister, because I think about our lives as one story.” And then there’s the $2 Bill Initiative that they use to teach kids about their origin and purpose. Learn more at TwinklingSmilesOfMonroe.com and TwinklingSmilesOfBatonRouge.com.
203 North 5th St., Monroe, LA 71201 Phone: (318) 805-9000
2314 Weymouth Dr., Baton Rouge, LA 70809 Phone: (225) 926-4444
Residents in the Porterville area were very appreciative when Elwin and Erwin Hutchins quickly filled in for a retiring dentist several years ago, and they are keen to share their kind demeanor and dental care with new patients as well as long-time patients. The identical twins started in mission dentistry, serving patients in Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago with very busy outreach clinics where they worked for almost two decades before returning back to their California roots. Their wives have also joined them in practice – Elwin’s wife Sonia is an assistant while Sandy is the office manager. Visit them in either of their offices, or online at HutchinsDental.net.
350 N. Second Street, Porterville, CA 93257 Phone: (559) 781-1163
100 N. Palm Street, Woodlake, CA 93286 Phone: (559) 564-8878
As recent graduates of Marquette University, Ryan is currently practicing out of state at Howell Comprehensive General Dentistry in Virginia, but once his brother Austin completes his periodontal residency at Marquette, they could end up in a complimentary practice together, somewhere. For now, though, we’re including them here because, look at them! They’re young, they haven’t settled down yet, there’s potential for them to practice together, and who knows? They may read this and decide to cozy up to one another for convenience, for camaraderie, and for the commercial appeal held by the novelty of being an identical twin. Watch this space for updates!
Limerick, Ireland
Ireland is fortunate to have a set of identical twin dentists in Conor and Cormac Shields, but it wasn’t by coincidence that they chose their profession. Their father and grandfather, both named Frank Shields, were dental surgeons before them. The twins’ grandfather qualified as one of the first dental surgeons in Tyrone in 1917, and their father was a pioneer in oral surgery and sedation in Dungannon. Americans will be surprised to see that the brothers list out their prices for dental procedures on their website and that they are also open on Sundays.
Ever wondered what a modern dental practice looks like in Ireland? Peek into the world of Dr. Conor and Dr Cormac in the video above, as they share their history, a hint of twin dynamics, and learn more about their philosophy as they explain how they provide not only dentistry but facial esthetic services in their offices.
10 Ashdown Ctr, Courtbrack Ave, South Circular Rd, Limerick, V94 K5TX Phone +353 61 480070
In the United States it is rare for dentists to also have double degrees in both medicine and dentistry. So when identical twins each have a double degree, is this the mathematical equivalent of a being a doctor to the 4th power? This is what you’ll find if you travel to the Czech Republic to visit Dr. Eva and Dr. Hana, who established their practice together in 2017. Language is not a barrier here, as you’ll discover that both doctors and many of their team members are fluent in English. You’ll find their Facebook page enchanting, with video vignettes that range from random silly office moments to informative dental health tips. Be sure to visit their website, too, at DuoSmile.cz.
Pekařská 84, 3rd Floor Brno, 602 00 Phone +420 720 02 32
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If you know of any other sets of identical twins practicing together that you’d like to see featured here, let us know in the comments below. Thank you to all the practices, and most importantly, to the people who have made this exploration of twins in dentistry a fun journey.