We have received 21 responses to date and we are still collecting your feedback. The survey is available until July 26, 2013

We asked you the following question:

What are the most important issues that concern you these days?

Please share your thoughts in the box below. Alternatively, you can call and leave a message with your comments and suggestions, toll free at 1855-71-OASIS. You may remain anonymous, if you wish. Issues of interest could be in the areas of clinical dentistry, managing your practice, day-to-day operations, your health and wellness, and other issues facing the profession. Thank you JCDA Oasis Team

Clinical Questions

• The use of amalgam fillings: we should be banning their use. Fluoridation should also be questioned.
• Fluoride in relation to caries reduction: many patients are rejecting fluoride, based on the hypothesis that it has adverse reactions.
• How much radiation can we reduce by using digital x-ray systems compared to F speed film? Usually they compare to D Speed.
• Identifying appropriate prevention strategies for caries in high-risk groups.
• Lack of understanding of occlusion by dentists and specialists.
• What is taught in the dental schools for tooth reparation for composite in posterior teeth, not Black’s technique for amalgam but what is actually taught.
• Best Practice today on cleaning hard surfaces in the operatory.
• Best Practice on what new cements are the best for the new materials.
• What is considered preventive and what is over-treatment?
• Lack of adequate education and understanding in implantology and aesthetic reconstruction – both in techniques and biomechanics, resulting in poor to extremely poor outcomes for trusting patients. Some courses are placing too much emphasis on the marketing of dentistry and not enough consideration on the medical, biomechanical, aesthetic and moral/ethical aspects of the dental profession at the current expense of the patient and the future expense of the profession.
• Laser plume is viable. Laser does not kill HIV Virus, nor does it kill HPV, nor does it kill certain bacteria. Very little appears in the literature regarding this problem!!!! Dentists and surgeons are at huge risk when using lasers.

Practice Management

• Advertising and marketing in dentistry today…the downward spiral from healthcare to business.
• Managing increasing overhead cost.
• How best to motivate employees or provide incentives.
• Providing benefits to employees: advantages/disadvantages.
• I would like to see better training for front-desk personnel.
• The unfortunate fact that many dentists are unable to retire because of poor planning and poorer advice. 

Professional Issues

• The myriad of regulations imposed on us by boards and governments, hardly any time for dentistry. 
• Too many dentists.
• Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) is a big concern for us in Ontario. So far, we have spent a lot of money creating and implementing policies and procedures that are non-revenue earning procedures or policies, just to be able to comply to this act. Yet, I feel like we are only the 4 or 5 percent in the entire profession that really care. I personally think it’s a waste of time and money for dental offices since we are regulated by a professional governing body.
• We have to do something to involve our younger members. If it were not for i-trans we would lose a lot of members.
• Delivering appropriate care to newcomers (refugees and immigrants).
• Promoting first dental visits and getting general dentists on board.
• We STILL have package codes (49101) in the ODA fee guide.
• The promotion of Dental Therapists by Public Health dentists and some dental faculties.

Technology

• Inability to use hand held portable radiography machines.