Happy belated Father's Day and the "Principles of Waiting"

Hope everyone had a great Father's Day celebration. I'm on a reduced schedule in Mississauga because I'm covering the senior dentist's vacation time at the Tavistock location.

I was scanning some of the dental publications at the office and came upon this little gem from Dentaltown Magazine. The publisher, Howard Farran had a list of the "Eight Principles of Waiting" first created by Harvard Business School professor David Maister:

The Eight Principles of Waiting:

1. Unoccupied time feels longer than occupied time
2. Pre-process waits feel longer than in-process waits
3. Anxiety makes waits seem longer
4. Uncertain waits are longer than known, finite waits
5. Unexplained waits are longer than explained waits
6. Unfair waits are longer than equitable waits
7. The more valuable the service the longer I will wait
8. Solo waiting feels longer then group waiting

What a great list! Jodie, Gloria and myself will try to adjust our process flows so that any waiting time is perceived as short as possible.

Source: Farran H, The Waiting is the Hardest Part, Dentaltown Magazine, Vol 10, No 6 June 2009 pg 12-14.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

The Cochrane Library Available to All Canadians!

The Cochrane Library is universally considered the best source of high quality research studies and current evidence-based clinical treatments and guidelines. A partnership between the Canadian Cochrane Network and the Canadian Health Libraries Association has allowed Canadians free access to the library on a trial basis. You can access the library here: Cochrane Library.

Source: JCDA Vol 75, No 5, pg 323, June 2009 http://www.ccnc.cochrane.org/en/index.html

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Evidence Based Dentistry Website from the American Dental Association

The American Dental Association (ADA) has launched a new website dedicated to evidence based dentistry (EBD). The database, which will be updated 4 times a year started with over 1300 systematic reviews.

Source: http://ebd.ada.org

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

The British Columbia Oral Cancer Prevention Program Website: Orcanet.ca

This is a fantastic oral cancer website with clinical guidelines for dentists and a nice question and answer section for patients and providers. Check it out!

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Pancreatic Cancer and Periodontal Disease

A Harvard study on 63 000 male health professionals showed a 62% increase in pancreatic cancer in patients who had periodontal (gum) disease.



Source: Kammer C, Gum Disease is Killing Our Patients (and Our Profession is About to be Busted)! Dentaltown, May 2009, Vol 10, No 5, pg 20-23.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Demi Moore and the Missing Tooth

Well, this story has been making the rounds all over the internet and even a dental blog or two. Demi Moore's dental work on twitter. Here's the teaser quote:

When it comes to twittering, Demi Moore is known for really sinking her teeth into the latest communication craze. At least the ones she has left.

The 46-year-old actress hopped on her account over the weekend to post a couple of pictures in which she's smiling in a dentist's chair and revealing a gaping hole where a tooth used to be.

"I lost it and had to have it fixed! I personally thought this look went out after you were eight, didn't know I would be rocking it again!" she wrote. "Happy to share and always appreciate the opportunity to find humility!!! Or at least be able to laugh at myself!"

Read the rest of the story on E Online and see the pictures here: For Demi, Less is More

Source: E Online, Read on May 28/09 http://ca.eonline.com/uberblog/b125706_demi_sometimes_less_moore.html

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Smoking Related Deaths in Canada

As recently as 1998, nearly 22% of all deaths in Canada were attributable to smoking.

Source: Smoking Cessation Rounds Vol 2, No 9, 2009.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental Did You Know: Breastfeeding Duration and Non-nutritive Sucking Habits

Children that were breastfed for fewer than six months developed non-nutritive sucking habits (e.g. thumb sucking) at a four-fold higher rate than children who were fed 6 months or longer.

Source: Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 130:531-534, 2006

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Practice in Pictures: Part 3

More from Phi Le, the photographer/denturist we refer to.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

New Dental Blogs and Dental Characters in Movies

Just perusing around the 'net and found a couple of interesting blogs. The first is the University of Toronto Dental Library Blog by Amy Beaith and in particular the post from December 11, 2008 on dentists in movies (as characters). Here's the teaser:

A web list of movies from 1940s to 1979 with dentists http://www.classicfilmguide.com/index.php?s=essays&item=24

Ghost Town (2008) - Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear Bertram Pincus, is a man whose people skills leave much to be desired. When Pincus dies unexpectedly, but is miraculously revived after seven minutes, he wakes up to discover that he now has the annoying ability to see ghosts. Ricky Gervais a dentist who can talk to the dead.
Good Luck Chuck (2007) - Dane Cook and Jessica Alba Standup comedian Dane Cook stars in this romantic comedy as Charlie Logan, a successful dentist cursed with the affliction of having the women he dates fall in love with the next guy they meet.
The Whole Ten Yards (2004) - Bruce Willis, Matthew PerryJimmy the Tulip's (Willis) quiet new life is shaken up by his old pal Oz (Perry), whose wife (Henstridge) has been kidnapped by a Hungarian mob. The Tulip and his wife Jill (Peet) spring into action.
Finding Nemo (2003) - Bill Hunter voices the dentistA father-son underwater adventure featuring Nemo, a boy clownfish, stolen from his coral reef home. His timid father must then travel to Sydney, and search Sydney Harbour find Nemo. Little Nemo ends up in a dentist's aquarium.

You can read the rest of the post here: Dentist Films. I'll post the other blog in an upcoming post.

Source: http://uoftdentistrylibrary.blogspot.com/2008/12/dentist-films.html
and http://uoftdentistrylibrary.blogspot.com/


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Practice in Pictures: Part II

Another image from Phi Le (the denturist we refer to) of the very unique roof of our building.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Practice in Pictures: Part I

The denturist we refer to is a hobby photographer and he decided to take a few pictures during one of his visits...here's the first in the series:

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

April is Oral Health Month!

Yes, it's that time of the year....April is Oral Health Month. The Ontario Dental Association has taken a leadership role this year in enhancing Ontarians' understanding about the importance of oral health including:

1. downloadable patient fact sheets and an oral health month guide at http://www.youroralhealth.ca/
2. grants to local communities (via the local component societies of the ODA) during the month of April
3. Brush-a-mania, the annual program to educate our young students on proper dental care. This program has already reached over 230 000 students so far

I will try in the next couple of days to post some of the materials the ODA has regarding these great programs.

Source: Estevao R, April is Oral Health Month, Ontario Dentist, April 2009, Vol 86, No 3, pg 48-9.

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Dental News: Toronto-based Dentist Wins Torturous Desert Race

Saw this article in the Toronto Star Online a couple of days ago. Here's the teaser quote:

A Toronto-based Canadian Forces dentist has won a gruelling weeklong, 250 kilometre footrace across Chile’s Atacama Desert beating out more experienced runners from more than two dozen countries including several Olympians.

You can read the rest of the article here:

Source: The Toronto Star online, Read April 4/09, http://www.thestar.com/News/GTA/article/613863


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Free Dental Care for Kids: The CINOT Program

Here in Mississauga, the municipal and provincial governments have teamed up to provide free dental care to children in need (certain financial eligibility is required). How do you get into this program for your kids? Simple:

1. Call Peel Region Public Health at 905-799-7700 to book a screening appointment. A dental hygienist will determine if the child qualifies for the dental service. Ask for the Fairview screening clinic at 325 Central Parkway Unit 21, Mississauga, ON L5B 3X9. This screening office is the closest to Promenade Court Dental.
2. Paperwork will then be provided to see us at Promenade Court Dental (2233 Hurontario, south of Hurontario and Queensway) for treatment at no charge to you. You can call us when you receive the paperwork at 905-273-7100 to book an appointment for your child.

Cheers!

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Veteran Affairs Canada Dental Information

The Veterans Affairs Canada website now features oral health information titled: "Your Mouth: It Affects Your Overall Health"

Source: Veterans Affairs Canada Website, Viewed March 16, 2009, www.vac-acc.gc.ca/clients/sub.cfm?source=health/dental


Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Patients Using Superglue to Fix Teeth

Yes, in these troubled times (TTT), it is sad to see people who are squeezed between good benefits and government assistance having their health compromised. View the video from CNN:



Source: http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/living/2009/03/04/zartler.woman.superglues.teeth.kkco?iref=videosearch
Viewed on March 5/09
Disclaimer: I do not endorse any products that may be seen in commercials during the viewing of this clip

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Consumer Alert: Fake Toothbrushes

Saw this article in the Toronto Star Online, here's the teaser quote:

OTTAWA – Consumers and retailers should be cautious when buying toothbrushes after counterfeit products bearing brand names were found on the Canadian market, Health Canada warned Monday.

The toothbrushes are falsely labelled as Colgate Massager, Colgate Navigator, Oral B Classic 40, Oral B Contura and Colgate 360.

"If an imitation is suspected, consumers should stop using them immediately, as the quality, safety and effectiveness of counterfeit products cannot be assured," Health Canada said in an advisory.

Retailers with stock from Canadian importer AG Liquidation should check their products for authenticity and remove any they suspect to be bogus, the agency said.

Last July, a public advisory was issued about a sham Oral B Classic 40 toothbrush being sold. Health Canada received a report of toothbrush bristles dislodging and catching in a consumer's throat.


Source: The Toronto Star Online, http://www.healthzone.ca/health/article/588359, viewed Feb 19/09

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Practice Improvements: Video Lab Communications

Hi everyone,

We are now using the Become One video tool with our primary prosthetic lab Pow Labs. This allows for far better communication between our practice and the fabricating lab. The previous method was through lab scripts, phone calls and the occasional visit to the lab. This streamlines information flow, lab processing time and reduces errors.

I've put in a screen capture to show you the screen I would see using the video tool.

Take care

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100

Practice Improvements: New Sony Playstation Portable (PSP) for our Patients

We have a Sony PlayStation Portable (PSP) for the entertainment of our patients (especially our younger generation) in our main operatory. (It also entertains me between patients ;). I have loaded it with a few games and so far it has been an enormous hit with patients. (Here's an image I took of it at home)

















Take care

Hans Skariah, B.Sc., DMD
Promenade Court Dental Health Group in Mississauga
2233 Hurontario St., Mississauga, ON, Canada
(1/2 km north of the QEW in the Dome Building)
(905) 273-7100