Category: Opinion & Editorial

To the Members of the Ohio Dental Association: I understand that some of you have recently received factually inaccurate information regarding the Dentist and Dental Hygienist Compact. Senate Bill 40, which includes the Compact, passed the Ohio Senate and Ohio House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support and was signed into law ... [continue reading]

Not All Who Wander Are Lost, But Some Need a Guide In J.R.R. Tolkien’s beloved epic “The Lord of the Rings,” we encounter the enigmatic character of Aragorn. Of him, Tolkien famously wrote, “Not all those who wander are lost.” This poetic line speaks to the noble quest and inner compass that guides some individuals through life’s ... [continue reading]

With 100% authenticity, I am writing this piece as I sit in the waiting room of a busy pediatric dental office. My son has a hypoplastic molar, and between you and me and the ODA, let’s just say it got away from us. Routine operative dentistry hits differently when it’s your own kid, and I am feeling a mixture of guilt, anxiety and annoyance. ... [continue reading]

In the colorful tapestry of Italian idioms, there’s a phrase that should resonate deeply with our profession: “Non avere peli sulla lingua.”  Literally translated as “don’t have hair on the tongue.” This vivid expression encapsulates a principle that should be at the core of every dental practice – to speak the truth plainly and ... [continue reading]

One of our faithful readers, Dr. John Smith, of Logan, sent me a clipping that talked about our (dentists’) preoccupation (OK, obsession) with detail. The philosophical questions asked were that if we become so focused on minutia, do we lose track of the big picture? And what does a professional lifetime of minutia focusing do to us? We all ... [continue reading]

Some restaurants keep a photo of the local food critic in the kitchen.  The theory is that if someone notices that she’s in the dining room, everyone can up their game.  Some musicians wait for a talent agent to be in the crowd.  If they really kill it tonight, they could get the big break they have been hoping for. The better plan, of ... [continue reading]

I️ am certain my title has captured your attention with this ’80s symbol of teenage angst. Who amongst us can say that they have no idea who Ferris Bueller was? In fact if you are like me and you have kids, it was one of the popular culture exposures from my childhood that I️ imposed upon my kids juxtaposed with my husband’s Eminem ... [continue reading]

Some years ago, I was in New York City doing an interview as an ADA spokesperson. I returned from the studio to my hotel and picked up my bag. It had been a long day already, and I was tired. It was hot and humid, so I loosened my tie and walked out to grab a cab to the airport. This was in the pre-Uber era and my shoulders slumped as I saw the ... [continue reading]

There are many who feel the profession of dentistry, the private practice model, and the ADA are being threatened by DSOs, leading to the loss of professionalism, extinction of the private practice model and collapse of the ADA. I disagree. Our attitude towards, and reaction to the DSO model may jeopardize our future more than the mere existence ... [continue reading]

I have a patient who is a professor of languages and I always enjoy our conversations during his appointments. Our latest discussion was regarding his current fascination with “conversational” Latin. My experience with the language regards the static form, as a written method of communication and the foundation of the romance languages, which ... [continue reading]