New Study Shows Dentists Are Feeling More Confident in the Wake of Covid-19 Pandemic.  This July 2022 JADA article explores the top concerns of dentists after implementing workflow changes necessitated by the Covid-19 pandemic. Based on a February 2021-April 2021 study, it sought to assesses dentists' level confidence in rebounding their practice finances and workforce in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. The authors conclude that despite the shutdowns during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic and added clinic safety measures, dentists are currently feeling optimistic about their finances and future growth. Click here to read "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Dentists’ Workforce Confidence and Workflow".

Changes in Dental Care Use Patterns of Insured Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Dental practices have experienced major changes in patient volumes since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020 . Observing significant loss of patient numbers through practice re-emergence, the authors of “Changes in dental care use patterns due to COVID-19 among insured patients in the United States” sought to understand which characteristics were associated with patient volume picking back up once dentists opened their doors to all patients once again. By looking at practice procedure volumes extracted from practice management data, they found that public insurance and geographical characteristics defined by income, race or ethnicity and dental care professional shortage area designation were the dominant factors that determined the rebound in patient procedure volume. The authors suggest policy makers develop policy to combat the worsening of disparities during economic slowdowns like the COVID-19 pandemic and expand access to oral healthcare for vulnerable populations. Click here to read “Changes in dental care use patterns of insured patients during the COVID-19 pandemic”.

COVID-19 Conspiracies and Beyond: How Physicians Can Deal With Patients’ Misinformation. This interesting article on patient health literacy focuses on the epidemic of misinformation, and how health professionals can use what they already know to engage their patients in thoughtful discussion while maintaining trust and stewarding health. Click here to read. (January 7, 2021)