FEATURE FINDS---FROM THE PRACTICON CATALOG

ProAngle Disposable Prophy Angles combine low price with top quality.   Precision engineered, the ergonomic non-slip design operates quietly, chatter free.  Latex-free, these economical angles are available as soft or firm angles.

Or choose ProAngle Plus Disposable Prophy Angles.  These angles offer a slimmer, color coded body and even smoother operation with no chance of over-heating.  The ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue.

At last, a Classic Pointed Polisher Disposable Prophy Angle---ideal for orthodontic and periodontal patients as well as implant maintenance.  The tip is a flexible yet stable pointed design which improves access around bridges, wide embrasures, and furcations.

The external ribbing provides excellent retention of prophy paste during stain removal.

Check out these Feature Finds, excellent values, in the Practicon catalog or on line at www.practicon.com.

CHANGES IN THIRD PARTY COVERAGE

Approximately 175 million people, 57% of the U.S. population, have some form of dental coverage at this time.  Direct reimbursement plans cover less than 1% of the market.  Coverage under Dental HMOs had declined to 8% of the market by 2010, down another percent or two by 2012.  Indemnity insurance plans, typically provided by employers, have declined from about 38% of dental benefit coverage in 2001 to about 9% to 10% now.  These declines have been absorbed by PPOs which have grown from 39% in 2001 to 75% to 80% of market share currently.

Dr. Charles Blair, author of Coding with Confidence: The “Go-To” Dental Insurance Guide, and founder of PracticeBooster.com, a dental insurance coding website, has an excellent article in the June 2012 McGill Advisory, a top notch dental practice newsletter.

Dr. Blair addresses changes in third party coverage and the effect these changes, particularly the exploding growth in PPOs, will have on your practice and income.  Check out the McGill Advisory website:  www.mcgilladvisory.com.

MOVE OUT: MOVE ON

Awaiting PERFECT circumstances and conditions translates to being stuck in the proverbial mud.  Perfect never happens.  One must learn to move out and move on into the acceptable, the good realm, ready to make a realistic effort, instead of waiting for a

state of perfection.  Thoughts from a small daily devotional book I read illustrate the point.

Instead of saying, “It’s not my job,” say “I’ll be glad to take that responsibility.”

Instead of saying, “We’ve never done that before,” say “We have the opportunity to be first.

Instead of saying, “There’s not enough time,” say “We’ll change how we work.”

Instead of saying, “We’re under-staffed,” say “We’re a lean, hungry team.”

Instead of saying, “It’ll never get any better,” say “We’ll try one more time.”

Instead of saying, “I can’t,” say “By God’s grace, I can!”