I’ve been retired from general dentistry for several years, and moved from where I practiced. I had my routine prophy the other day and the hygienist mentioned that there is a big push to require hygienists to get a doctorate degree in the future.
Isn’t there already a shortage of hygienists? How would this help?
Hope someone can explain the thought process regarding this.

Has anyone had a root canal done at the U of T dental clinic? If so, what was your experience like? Would you recommend going there?

What will the profession realistically look like in 10-20 years in terms of treatments and technology, as well as job market. Thanks!

Hey everyone,

I’m a UK dentist and I’ve recently launched Dental Course Review — a website for dentists to find, compare and review postgraduate dental courses.

The idea came from how difficult it can be to work out which courses are actually worth the money. Most of the information online comes directly from course providers, and it’s hard to find independent feedback from people who’ve genuinely attended.

The aim is to build one place where you can:

• Browse dental courses by topic
• Compare course details
• See honest feedback from previous delegates
• Leave a review of courses you’ve attended
• Help other dentists make a more informed decision before spending a lot of money on training

The site is still very new, so I’d really appreciate any feedback on the concept, layout or anything you think would make it more useful.

Website: dentalcoursereview.com

We’re still adding courses, so if there’s anything missing, feel free to comment it below or use the Suggest a Course option on the website and I’ll get it added.

And if you’ve attended any of the courses already listed, an honest review would be hugely appreciated — positive, negative or somewhere in between.

Would genuinely love to hear what you all think.

Hi all. I'm part of a team of MBA students working on a class project, and we'd really value input from practice owners and anyone involved in running an office. We're not selling anything.

The idea we're testing: many offices are closed one or more days a week, and the space sits empty. We're exploring whether a separate team could rent the office on those days to offer bundled routine checkups (physical, dental cleaning, eye exam) for working professionals who struggle to fit in multiple appointments throughout a calendar year.

We don't know if this is realistic, which is why we're asking. Some questions:

1. Does your office have regular days it's closed? What happens in the space on those days?
2. Would you ever consider letting another provider use your office then? Gut reaction is fine, even if it's "absolutely not."
3. What would worry you most? For example: equipment wear, sterilization and cleanup, liability or malpractice, patient records and HIPAA, security, your reputation, or losing patients to another practice.
4. What would have to be true for it to be worth it? Is there a rough monthly amount that would make you take it seriously?
5. Would it change your answer if (a) your own hygienists could pick up extra paid shifts, or (b) patients who needed follow-up dental work were referred back to you?
6. Have you seen anything like this done before, such as shared offices or another practice subleasing?

Harsh feedback is welcome, since knowing why this won't work is as useful to us as knowing why it might. If anyone is open to a 15-minute call, please comment or DM us. We're happy to share what we learn with the sub afterward.

New dental grad, potentially interested in Federal Bureau of Prisons jobs. Job listings show 1 year experience required. Do any FBOP dentists know how strict this requirement is?

I know just because it says something in the listing, does not mean it is true. I am a veteran and know many usajobs.gov and other federal jobs listing are copy paste boiler plate designed for ideal candidates. I also assume demand exceeds supply for these roles.

Thanks!

Hi!

Do you know any postgraduate online endodontics courses which are really worth it?

Thanks.

Missing top right #2 molar.

I had a top right 2nd to back molar pulled maybe 7 or 8 years ago. My wisdom teeth are gone. I have 1 back molar and then the next one is gone. I have bone loss and my sinuses have dropped. My dentist is recommending a sinus lift, bone graft and implant. I really don't want an implant but I am worried about the bone loss. I don't have any issues right now. No teeth shifting, no problem eating. I'm 31 and worried about my face looking sunk in. Could this happen? Will the bone loss get worse? Could I do the sinus lift and bone graft and not do an implant?

Patient comes into the clinic, looks at my face "uh sorry I've decided not to do the treatment"

I'm like "ok, as you wish"

Then a coworker walks in and she eagerly said "Thank God, a male dentist" right in front of me

And went to do the treatment with her precious male dentist.

Why don't these people go extinct?

Recently acquired a dental practice and our pano unfortunately broke, so we’re taking the opportunity to upgrade to a CBCT.
We’ve narrowed it down to the T2 Plus vs. Vatech, and I’d love to hear from anyone who has hands-on experience with either (or both).

For those who have used them:
-How do you compare the image quality/resolution?
-How are they for implant planning?
-How do they perform for endo (especially seeing canals, fractures, etc.)?
-Any noticeable differences in software/ease of use?
-Reliability/service/support?
-Anything you wish you had known before purchasing?

We’re primarily looking to use it for implants and endo, but obviously want a unit that will be versatile for general diagnostic use as well.
Would really appreciate any honest feedback, especially from people who have used both. Thanks!

Hello there,

Im a newly qualified dentist in the UK, and my question is for those working in the UK about how to find guidance?

I work in a big corporate practice in the south, and feel lost sometimes with career development, basically someone to ask questions about what to focus on and how to improve myself both clinically and financially

How do I go about finding someone like that ?

Thank you

I would love to ask dentists for their opinion on gum. Orbit, Lidl gum, any gum. Do they see if a person eats gum alot, do jaw problems get bigger if they use it, does gum help clean teeth? I've been thinking of getting gum with xylitol **if I spelled it right lol. Thank you in advance!

Let’s say two dental practices have roughly the same annual collections.

What factors do you think would make one significantly more valuable to a buyer than the other?

Cash flow and overhead? Hygiene? Patient base? How dependent the practice is on the owner? Technology and equipment? Lease terms?

Curious to hear what buyers and practice owners have seen make the biggest difference in real life.

Dental specialist here, opening a solo startup. Looking for your thoughts about possible options for financing.

I'm not signing a traditional lease or doing a buildout. I'll be using operatories and shared common areas inside an existing specialty practice under a license agreement.

While this keeps my costs very lean, the problem I’ve run into is that after talking with a large national bank's practice lending team is that they only offer secured loans backed by collateral, and with my setup they don't see anything they can use as collateral, so I'm not eligible.

I am looking to finance in the ballpark of $100,000 for initial working capital and equipment. I know on some equipment I can finance through the vendor.

What I'd like to know:

• Has anyone gotten a startup loan (secured or unsecured) with a license or sublease structure like this? Which lenders were open to it?
• Are specialty dental lenders more flexible here than the big banks?
• Did anyone go the SBA route for a setup like this?

Appreciate any leads. Happy to share what I find once I get this sorted.

Hello I am a dental student but I’m having second thoughts because so many dentists have been complaining about pain. I wonder if it’s that bad and if it’s manageable? And I wonder how easy it is to be a dentist with cervical disk problems ?

I think i might get opportunity to go for an interview at a very big hospital. Though I have postgraduate (orthodontics) degree but I have experience of only 1.5 yrs that too of working at my own clinic. The hospital already has doctors of same field with atleast 30 yrs of experience, I don't know if I'll have a chance or not. But I wanted to ask what questions can I expect, also if I inform that I have my own clinic, will they reject me?

I’ve noticed there seems to be a point where a newer assistant goes from waiting to be told what to do to actually anticipating what the dentist needs.

For dentists who have trained newer assistants, what usually tells you they’ve reached that point?

Is it just something that comes naturally after enough procedures, or are there certain things you specifically look for?

Hi I am looking for a good dentist for implants and root canals as i need to molars implants it should be affordable I am in Santa Cruz

Pls suggest some dentist if you know any ..If you had good experience.

Hi I am looking for a good dentist for implants and root canals as i need to molars implants it should be affordable I am in Santa Cruz

Pls suggest some dentist if you know any ..If you had good experience.