TheWealthyDentist.com™ Newsletter Archive

News From The Wealthy Dentist #99: June 4, 2008

Editorial: Jim Du Molin
Dental News Highlights: From the Hilarious to the Humiliating
As I peruse the dental news headlines this week, I'm struck by how many stories there are of dentists doing foolish things. Does the dental profession look bad when reports surface of embarrassing behavior by dentists? This week, there's the Chicago dentist linked to a prostitution ring, the Louisiana dentist who won't pay taxes because he's an "ambassador to Heaven," and the guy in London whose girlfriend performs stripteases upstairs from his dental practice. Click to continue...

Survey Results: Dentistry and Public Health Threats
Dentists Most Concerned about Lead in Dental Work
In our most recent survey, we asked dentists how concerned they are about various potential public health threats linked to dentistry. Lead in dental lab work was dentists' top worry, followed by bisphenol-A in dental composite and sealants. Concern levels were lower for mercury and fluoride. "All four of these need to be totally nailed down as to their safety, or lack, thereof," said one dentist. "I'd like to be doing all gold restorations," sighed another. Click to continue...

What Your Patients Are Reading
Detroit Free Press Investigates Hockey Team's Dental Realities
Though it's well known that they face dental dangers at every turn, hockey players seem to be more reluctant than other athletes to wear mouthguards. The NHL doesn't require them, so only about half of all professional players wear mouthguards, with the rest complaining that mouthguards are uncomfortable or impair their breathing. Red Wings player Darren McCarty sports a gap-toothed smile, and has said that he won't replace the missing tooth until he retires from hockey. Click to continue...

Dental News: Making the Best of Tough Times
Dentist Lets Patients Barter for Treatment
A Mississippi dentist experimented recently with a "Trade Day" where he offered fillings, extractions and cleanings in return for items such as artwork, bicycles, cakes and pies. The event was more about helping uninsured patients than bartering for the actual value of the dental work involved. Patients lined up early; By 9:30am, 60 had signed in, and the rest had to be turned away. Citing the movie "Doc Hollywood" as his inspiration, the doctor says he's considering making it a regular event. Click to continue...

What's on My Bookshelf
The Substance of Style by Virginia Postrel
How the Rise of Aesthetic Value Is Remaking Commerce, Culture, and Consciousness
Author Postrel gives the example of customers who can select between 1,500 different drawer pulls at a single store. She speaks out against "pleasure-hating" modernists, arguing that fashion has meaning. When form is part of function, consumers will choose things they just plain old like. Want to get the book?

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