Dentist Knoxville TN » dentist knoxville

Locum Tenens Dentists Becoming More Common

Dentist Knoxville — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 00:49:21 +0000

Amongst healthcare professionals it’s common for people to go where the needs are greatest. The practice, called locum tenens doctors or nurses, refers to instances where a professional works on a temporary basis when the need is there and moves on to another location when the workload has dropped. This is becoming more common now among dentists. One dentist, Dr. Herbert Earnshaw, has found the practice of locum tenens very fulfilling and has used it to replace his regular practice.

Like Dr. Earnshaw, a growing number of dentists are finding opportunities to take their act on the road by working temporary assignments in a variety of settings. The trend is being driven by a national shortage of dentists and mirrors a similar development in medicine, where tens of thousands of MDs work as locum tenens each year. In the field of medicine, private practices, hospitals, community health centers, correctional facilities, military facilities, and other providers are using locum tenens physicians to maintain services when permanent physicians can’t be found. This often takes place in federally designated Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) where the ratio of practitioners to the population falls below the standards set by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

There are over 6,000 HPSAs in the U.S. today where the number of primary care physicians falls below HRSA standards. At over 4,000, the number of dental HPSAs is not far behind. Companies like Staff Care, which for years specialized in the placement of locum tenens physicians, are being asked to find temporary dentists to fill openings around the country.

Dr. Earnshaw, for example, worked as a locum tenens in a private practice, substituting for a doctor who was recovering from hip replacement surgery. He also worked temporary assignments at community health centers and correctional facilities that are chronically short of permanent dentists. Other dentists, such as Dr. Alton Walker of Rockport, TX, filled in for dentists who were deployed overseas by the military. He also substituted for a dentist who had to temporarily quit working due to injuries from a car accident.

Android Robot Used by Dentists for Practice

Dentist Knoxville — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:44:11 +0000

In Japan, dental students have a way to practice without needing a real person. An android robot that senses pain and moves and reacts like a human has been developed for use by dental students. If the dentist drills too far or hard the dummy yelps. It even fidgets in the chair while waiting for treatment. Pretty remarkable. See the video below:

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A Dental View of H1N1 Swine Flu

Dentist Knoxville — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:02:21 +0000

We all know that the H1N1 virus continues to spread and that good basic hygiene habits can go a long way to preventing its spread. For example, you probably know to wash your hands before and after eating, but did you know it’s just as important to do so before and after flossing and brushing? In both cases you put your fingers on or in your mouth, which is the perfect chance for it to infect you. Another tip is to throw away your toothbrush after you’ve been sick. Viruses and bacteria can live on a toothbrush. Read the full article here.

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Staying Current in the Field of Dentistry

Dentist Knoxville — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:22:11 +0000

Dentists go through a lot of schooling to master their craft. But even with all that training, continuing education is important to stay on top of changes in the industry and especially changes in technology. Not only does it serve the patients better, but it also makes for a more meaningful career for staff and the dentist also. Such was the case for this student at a dental assisting school in Florida. She based her career decision partly on the dentist’s desire to stay current with cutting edge dental science.

We’ve made the same commitment to having the best training, technology, and procedures available in our field. That’s why we’re the dentist Knoxville trusts. Call us today to make an appointment.