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Ongoing and projected developments in precision and data science in dentistry, including health information technology, clinical diagnosis frameworks, biomedicine and biotechnology, are discussed in the August 2022 issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association. 

Handling unhappy patients can be an unfortunate reality of practice ownership. On the rare occasion anger escalates to aggression, be mindful of your obligation to provide a safe working environment for your employees. Follow guidance for safe and appropriate de-escalation tactics.

Local health jurisdictions and oral health advocates in California now have guidance for promoting water fluoridation in their communities based on generally accepted, peer-reviewed scientific evidence and experience. 
 

California dentists can take a new online course that meets the requirements for opioid use disorder training for licensure. “Responsibilities and Requirements for Prescribing Controlled Substances (Schedule II Opioid Drugs),” is eligible for 2 units of C.E. and is available to CDA members for a substantially discounted price. 

The risk of monkeypox transmission in dental practices is low, currently, but as health care providers, dentists and dental teams can take steps now to minimize the virus’s spread, including through appropriate screening of patients and employees.

In-office dental assistant training has arrived for the many CDA members who continue to have challenges finding and hiring qualified dental assistants for their practice. The curriculum provides 12 weeks of supportive online learning for use alongside in-office training.

Small businesses in California, including dental practices, with at least one employee who utilizes California’s Paid Family Leave program benefits on or after June 1, 2022, are eligible to apply online for grants up to $2,000 per employee on the leave.
 

To be compliant with Cal/OSHA standards, California dental practices are required to train any team member who may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. CDA has resources available to support your practice in achieving compliance.

Every quarter, CDA publishes a Practice Health Check focusing on a different topic related to the business side of dentistry. Managing overhead costs is the focus during the third quarter of 2022. CDA members are invited to take the Q3 Practice Health Check consisting of just three questions.