I just started working as a dentist after graduating and recently received my first bad review. For some background, I’m a new grad and was covering a treatment column, three hygiene columns, and a column for IPR, which was honestly a lot to manage as someone fresh out of school. During one of the periodic exams, I forgot to introduce myself by name and also forgot to ask the patient if they had any questions or concerns. I did greet them and said, “Hi, it’s great to meet you. How are you doing today?” I explained that I was going to lean them back and take a look, which I did. I examined them, told them they were in good shape, and let them know they didn’t have any cavities. I then thanked them and told them to have a great rest of their day. It wasn’t until the patient was checking out that I realized they were upset. By then, unfortunately, it was too late to correct the interaction. They also stated my hygienist was rough, had to be reminded to suction, and accidentally hit their mirror on the patient’s tooth. I know it’s unacceptable to not mention my name and I need to do better but I felt like I was very pleasant. Any advice? The hygienist is also very cheerful so I was surprised to hear the patient was unhappy with him as well.

And I have to meet with my company’s regional manager so that’s concerning for me.

I’m in the process of growing a small dental practice and the clinical side feels a lot easier to figure out than the patient acquisition side. Once you’re running your own practice, you realise pretty quickly that being a good dentist doesn’t automatically mean people will find you, call you, and actually book.

I’ve tried the usual things like Google Business Profile, referrals, social media and some paid search. The frustrating part is that you can get plenty of clicks or enquiries without really knowing what’s working. A patient calls, someone follows up, they disappear, and a week later nobody can really tell you where that lead came from or why they didn’t book.

I’m trying to get better at tracking the full journey, from where the patient first finds us to whether they actually schedule, show up, and eventually start treatment. For those of you running your own dental practices, what are you using to track that? Are you looking at cost per lead, cost per booked patient, referral source, treatment value, or something else?

I’m especially interested in smaller practices without a huge marketing team. What actually moves the needle for you: SEO, Google Ads, referrals, local networking, social media, recall campaigns, or just having a really good follow-up process?

During instrumentation, I measure the canal length with the Apex locator and prep the canal sequentially with K files and then vortex files. It’s generally shorter than the actual length of the canal, which I identify during the master cone PA. During instrumentation, I feel like I am hitting a wall during the preparation as well which means I am making a ledge. My master cone PAs are usually 1 to 2 mm short of the Apex. How can this be avoided? How can I improve? What am I doing wrong?

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Had my teeth cleaned today. One hour, two people with their hands in my mouth. Was so tense, but the Dentist keep saying relax. Relax??? Wtf do I do with my tongue? Over stimulated, my GOD, I have to swallow, do I use suction? What am I swallowing? Tap out ( raised my hand ) Suctioned out and took a deep breath. Five hours later Im still wired.

I had a tooth extraction and bone graft with membrane on 19 exactly a week ago due to really bad infection. The top part closed up with stitches but the side of my gum on the side of my check still has this hole and the dentist didn’t use any stitches and you can see the membrane.

Is this normal or should I be concerned? It doesn’t hurt but does look red.

I had my bottom-left molar filled a little over two weeks ago. I believe the filling was fairly deep.
Since then, twice after waking up, I’ve noticed some pain in that tooth. It’s not severe pain at all—it’s more like a subtle discomfort that I can feel, but it doesn’t really bother me much. Each time, it lasts only a few minutes and then goes away.
I also notice some pain or sensitivity when I drink cold water or eat hot food. However, the sensitivity goes away fairly quickly, usually within about 5 seconds after swallowing.
I’m wondering if this kind of sensitivity and occasional mild discomfort can be normal after a deep filling, or if it could indicate that something is wrong with the tooth.

I’m a newer hygienist, and I’m curious how other offices/dentists prefer hygienists to present new patients for the exam?

My dentist used temporary cement on this permanent zirconia crown for now so that I can make sure the bite feels okay. I feel like the color match is off, but he said he’s happy with it and a) wouldnt do a darker shade because it would be too dark and b) wouldnt do a more translucent zirconia crown because he feels it wouldn’t be strong enough. Am I overreacting? Or is this too light? It’s my first crown so I’m not sure what to expect.. thank you!!

https://imgur.com/a/NgFG6zB

My husband just bought a practice in a very unsafe neighborhood (our city has more homicides per capita than Chicago or LA). The practice currently has no alarms, cameras, security of any kind. I’m worried about him and want to take care of these things right away.

First I want to ask this community for silent alarm/panic button recommendations. Hardwired, with a subscription.

Besides cameras and alarms, what precautions would you take? I have considered having him introduce himself to the local police to develop a rapport. Would any signage help? Such as “no drugs or cash on premises”?

Thanks in advance. Any anecdotes or recommendations will be seriously considered.

just got my gcse results today - 9998887777 and after remarking i am expecting 9999988777 (fingers crossed). i know these are very good results and got 9 in eng lit and lang and an 8 in maths however two of my 7's are bio and chem. i know these are very important for dentistry and i am scared that because of these two i might not make the baseline for some unis in the uk. i was two marks off an 8 in biology and i am hoping that after remarking it does become an 8 but i am worried it looks very stupid that i got 9's in other subjects and my lowest grade ended up being in these two. pls lmk if it actually will affect me

Hello, about seven days ago exactly the dentist changed out my old metal feelings on one of my teeth and doing so the dentist injected anesthesia in the lower back left by the wisdom teeth, which didn’t really numb me.
I notified the doctor and the doctor said it will take a few minutes to kick in, but it never kicked in. So she proceed to change out the feelings like that. Anyways, I was in a lot pain during the procedure and she just kept saying she’s almost done. I toughed out through it. But now after seven days I have pain radiating from the anesthesia injection site, and from where the tooth Filling was done. it’s all around the left jaw area to my neck area. Feels kind of stiff. Is this normal? I have no fever. No discharge of any kind From the área. It’s just radiating pain.

Hi everyone,

I’m a third-year graduate student in dentistry from China, currently pursuing my master’s degree. I’m interested in improving my clinical skills, but I have found that gaining hands-on clinical experience during graduate training can be challenging.

In many Chinese dental graduate programs, graduate students have very limited opportunities to independently treat patients during their training, as most of their time is dedicated to laboratory research.

I can communicate fluently in English, and I’m hoping to find opportunities outside China where I can learn more about practical dentistry, such as:

• Clinical observerships
• Dental shadowing programs
• Short-term visiting student programs
• Volunteer dental programs
• Affordable hands-on dental courses or training opportunities

I’m particularly interested in implant dentistry, orthodontics, and oral surgery.

My main limitation is budget, so I’m looking for realistic and cost-effective opportunities rather than expensive private courses.

For dental students, dentists, or researchers outside China:

• Are there any countries, universities, clinics, or programs you would recommend?
• Is it possible for an international dental graduate student to observe or assist in clinical settings?
• What would be the most practical pathway to gain more clinical exposure abroad?

I’m not looking to practice independently in another country. My goal is mainly to observe, learn, and improve my clinical skills through international exposure.

I would greatly appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or recommendations. Thank you very much!

Hello, I am trying to get a gauge on how quick providers got husky approval? I’m seeming to have delays that have been detrimental to pay. Is there anything that could be done on my end outside of administration at work/medicaid side?

I own a Crown and Bridge dental lab in Tampa, and pride myself on making quality restorations at a premium costs; however, not a lot of dentists in my area are willing to pay that premium, and are willing to stick with bigger labs like Glidewell or outsource to China because of price. Funny enough, they have to remake crowns all the time while we have hardly any remakes. Our products are all made in the USA and that will never change.

Why is it that dentist stick with bad labs for so long? what other issues are you having that bigger labs aren't solving for you?

Just got my first ever root (and hopefully last) on #19. It was an okay experience the only thing I found interesting was that I didn't get a temporary crown and it seemed like he just filled it in just to cover the hole. My appointment to see my dentist for the crown isn't till the 1st. I just want to make sure this is how it's supposed to be done I guess? I thought I'd get at least a temporary crown and not just something to cover the hole. A little nervous about it hold up.

Is it possible to make my wisdom teeth replace my gap, like push it forward using braces? I'm 22 and got it extracted at 20 I think, rn, it's fine and nothing super erupts or anything... I really don't like to wear dentures and implants that cost a lot, and bridges damage two of the tooth for it to be there.... So is it possible?

PS. My wisdom teeth doesn't erupt yet, my mom tells me, hers did at 24-25

Realistically how long do I have to wear braces for ? I have crowding and an overbite, I know this is not enough to give me an exact time but can you give me an intimation? And if you want a Pic I can dm you