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Showing posts from December, 2021

Does Waterpik have a model that doesn't need to be plugged to operate?

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I  believe that using a Waterpik as an adjunct to brushing and flossing can help my patients keep their gums healthier. I have already covered the reasons in earlier posts but suffice to say it facilitates fluid exchange of sulcular fluid around the roots of the teeth and can cut down on gingival inflammation.  Many of my patients, who live in apartments with relatively small bathrooms, complain that they don't want to use a waterpik in their bathroom because it needs to be plugged in. They have often commented that they would be more likely to use a smaller battery operated model. The problem is that most of the battery operated models are much less powerful and probably less effective. When I went to the Greater New York Dental Convention at the end of November I stopped by the Waterpik booth and asked them what they had that was new and they showed me a battery operated model called the Ion Professional. It is smaller than their standard plugged in models and it has a ...

NYC has mandated COVID Vaccinations for all people working in person in the city?

As of December 6 th Mayor de Blasio announced that  all private-sector workers must provide proof of vaccination to their employers, and all employers must keep a record of each worker's proof.  In addition employer's must: - Post an official sign-in document in an obvious spot. After December 27th employees must show proof of their Covid vaccination to work in-person. This mandate applies to dental offices and their staff as well and Dentists must comply or face fines from the city. At this point it is hard to believe that some dental staff have not been vaccinated and the vast majority of our workers have been. That being the case, it is time for the last hold outs to get their vaccine or get furloughed without pay.  Of course this minority has the option of seeking a job outside of NYC, but I can't think of a good reason not to get vaccinated. I have heard most of the arguments against vaccination, but none of them are convincing and clearly going unvaccinated expos...

How is David doing?

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 My son is approaching graduation from NYU  College of Dentistry this spring. Today he had an interview for a possible general practice residency. When he was done he called me on my cell phone to ask if we should have lunch together at my office. I said yes, of course , and went back to my patient who was listening to our conversation. Lately I have been listening to a playlist from my iPhone and my sons call was broadcast to the Tivoli radio that I use to amplify my music (embarrassing!) David and I got take out food from a Potbelly and ate lunch together in my office. Currently he is planning on joining my practice after finishing his general practice residency. Since he is using the matching program that most of the dental students use, he will not know where he will be doing his residency until match day which is in January sometime.  New York State requires that newly minted dentists either take part in a residency or practice in another state for a couple of y...