Category: Opinion & Editorial

Economist Milton Friedman and Science Fiction Author Robert Heinlein were both fond of using the expression “There ain’t no such thing as a free lunch,” (TANSTAAFL) as a way to express the need to be aware of the cost associated with everything we do. In economics this is called opportunity cost. The quote refers to the practice ... [continue reading]

Like most of you, I have become increasingly annoyed at the way the profession of dentistry is portrayed in the series of advertisements currently being aired by Aspen Dental.  While I “get it” that they are trying to be funny, I am concerned that the Aspen ads perpetuate negative stereotypes of dentists, the practice of ... [continue reading]

In the Sunday, July 23, 2017 “New York Times” (NYT), reporter Sheila Kaplan front-paged the relationship of the new CDC Director Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald with Coca Cola, which yielded a million dollars to fight childhood obesity, a childhood health ill squarely attributed to consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. Public health ... [continue reading]

You are viewed by your staff and your patients as the trusted source of knowledge on all things dental. It is a daunting task sometimes in a world that is changing so quickly. Over my nearly four decades of practice I have seen the science of dental materials explode with new innovations and techniques, witnessed the dawn of digital dentistry, and ... [continue reading]

After 30 years in private practice, I have accepted a new opportunity.  This month, I will join the faculty of the College of Dentistry at The Ohio State University.  I will be teaching both in pre-clinical and clinical settings, as well as becoming the director of the new Outpatient Care clinic in Upper Arlington.  Planning to ... [continue reading]

Most of us have had someone in our family or circle of friends graduate in the last month or so, so a lot of us have heard some version of a graduation speech ranging from tearful goodbyes to soaring inspirational rhetoric to Will Ferrell’s silliness. I am guilty of tending to zone out during a lot of these speeches, but this year I was ... [continue reading]

The other evening, I attended the annual members’ party and ceremony for the installation of officers of the Greater Cleveland Dental Society. I try to make it to this event each year, as it is an excellent chance to catch up with friends and have fun with others in our profession. This year’s incoming president, Dr. Dan Gindi, shared ... [continue reading]

As I write this, my husband is preparing for this upcoming Sunday, to address the graduation class from the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine. I have pressurized him to make it interesting. You see, I must share with you that I really enjoy listening to public addresses. Whether it is a State of the Union address or an ... [continue reading]

Dentists and students from Ohio attended the ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day in March to discuss issues important to dentistry with legislators. Most of us are familiar with the shtick of Rodney Dangerfield where he complains of getting no respect. There are probably several instances where you have felt the same sentiment; that as a small ... [continue reading]

There’s nothing better tasting than a glass of whole milk vs. other dairy options ... and I’m writing about milk that’s pasteurized after being harvested from a cow. No fair comparing it to almond milk or other products that are “milk substitutes.” The same applies to the news that I digest. I want whole news. I ... [continue reading]