Category: Opinion & Editorial

The month of January marks a definitive break, and reset in so many ways. Janus, the Roman god, was the god of beginnings and doorways. His two faces reminded the Romans of the need to reflect on where they were coming from as well as to look forward to where they were going. It is important to remember our history, and to learn from ... [continue reading]

In high school, many of us were forced to read “The Little Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupery.  The author draws a distinction between “Matters of Consequence” and “Essential Matters.”  Early on, Saint-Exupery lists a number of Matters of Consequence:  bridge, golf, politics, neckties.  ... [continue reading]

Forget the fitness plan. Eating better? Come on, that’s never worked. Organize your closets? Entropy is a law, for Pete’s sake ... the closet will be messy again in three days. Ask me how I know. This year, try something new. Something with a lasting impact. Something good for others. Something that utilizes your many years of highly ... [continue reading]

We have witnessed how a movement can overcome adversity and prevail against what Tom Brokaw has referred to as "tribalism." In dentistry there has been a recent trend of dentists defining themselves as members of different tribes delineated by gender, age, practice modality, ethnicity, etc. and then focusing only on those issues that pertain to ... [continue reading]

The election is over and, regardless of your party affiliation, there is much to be learned. We live in an information age. Everyone has a cell phone and is an investigative journalist. Now more than ever, there is video and audio of every possible candidate. Some of it is buried – lying in wait until the most damaging moment to be released. ... [continue reading]

When I was a mere lad in dental school,you did what “prof” said, unless you were a total fool.When I was finally a real doc, I made it “work in my hands”And people seemed happy, my patients were my fans! Now I’m told that’s no longer good enough,And I have to read and digest all that dry scientific stuff!What ... [continue reading]

One of my ENT physician colleagues asked me to see a patient for him, since she was having headaches that were refractory to his migraine treatments.  During our interview, she reported that she had “had a root canal done” this past June.  I asked who the dentist was, so that we could get the records to help determine why the ... [continue reading]

This is a different spin from my usual type of Op-Ed. Whether I make your day sweeter smelling depends on you ... the reader. I hope you enjoy this blend of topics. Floss vs. oral irrigation For some reason during the second half of this year, the media decided to question the efficacy of using floss as part of a daily regimen of oral health ... [continue reading]

Famed New York Yankee Hall of Famer, the late and beloved Yogi Berra, once infamously said: “When you come to the fork in the road, TAKE IT!” A brief and personal take on the evolution of “risk” in dentistry Once upon a time there was only the dentist and the patient.  No one came between the doctor and patient, and ... [continue reading]

Dr. Kevin Laing began his term as Ohio Dental Association president at the ODA House of Delegates (HOD) in September. In this Q&A with “ODA Today,” Laing looks forward to his term. What are some of the issues you expect the Ohio Dental Association to face during your presidency? How do you think the ODA should address these ... [continue reading]