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Weekly Digest
The ADN Weekly Digest is your concise guide to this week's most important dental developments. Week of January 6th, 2025
Chance Bodini
January 06, 2025
Back to Work, Back to Excellence!
The holiday decorations may be coming down, but our commitment to advancing dentistry remains ever-strong as we settle into 2025. For those of you who have already welcomed patients back to your practices this week, you know that January brings its own unique energy – from helping patients commit to better oral health resolutions to addressing those dental concerns they may have pushed aside during the festive season.
As your trusted source for dental news and insights, we're here to support your professional journey through every season. This week's edition brings you practical management tips and general news that matters to your practice. Whether you're implementing new techniques or fine-tuning your existing protocols, we're here to help you make 2025 your most successful year yet.
What is this digest about?
Each week, our team of dental industry experts sifts through hundreds of stories, podcasts, blog posts, and social media posts to bring you only the most relevant and impactful updates. Whether you're a practicing dentist, specialist, practice owner, or dental industry professional, we understand your time is valuable. That's why we focus on delivering clear, concise summaries that keep you informed without overwhelming your schedule.
Table of Contents
In The News
Heartland Dental Launches a Mentorship Program
Heartland Dental, the nation's largest dental support organization, has launched its "Masters and Mentors" campaign to strengthen professional development and leadership within its network of over 1,750 locations. The initiative, based on founder Dr. Rick Workman's philosophy of "doctors helping doctors," showcases real experiences of dental professionals who have grown through mentorship while highlighting the organization's commitment to staying current with technological advances like artificial intelligence in dental practice. Through video testimonials and educational resources, the campaign demonstrates Heartland Dental's investment in creating a collaborative environment where dental professionals can develop both their clinical expertise and leadership capabilities while delivering exceptional patient care.
Palm Bay, FL Votes Against Adding Fluoride to Its Water Supply
The decision by Palm Bay, which received unanimous support from residents present at the council meeting, represents a notable shift from traditional public health practices regarding water fluoridation. This development is particularly significant as it occurs against the backdrop of ongoing federal litigation requiring the Environmental Protection Agency to reassess fluoride's impact in drinking water.
The New ADA guide covers CDT codes for saliva tests
The American Dental Association has released new guidelines clarifying the proper use of Current Dental Terminology (CDT) codes for salivary testing procedures. This guidance comes at a time when saliva-based testing is emerging as a valuable, non-invasive method for detecting oral health biomarkers and monitoring patient health.
Dental Care in Arkansas is Hard to Come By
Arkansas faces a severe dental care crisis, with the lowest oral health ranking nationally and only 40 dentists per 100,000 residents compared to the national average of 61. Over half of Arkansas counties lack adequate dental providers, and 40% of adults avoid dental visits due to cost. The situation particularly impacts rural communities, where many residents must travel long distances for care, and children, with 60% of third graders experiencing dental caries. State officials are considering solutions including expanding the dental workforce, increasing insurance coverage, and implementing community-based programs.
New Products or Services
There are no new products or services launched this we that we are aware of.
Dental Podcasts
Each week, we select 5 episodes from a variety of podcasts, covering a wide range of topics that you may find interesting. If you like the episodes, don’t forget to subscribe to the show in your favorite podcast app.
Continuing Education
Here’s a list of notable continuing education courses happening in January 2025.
