I think it’s safe to say that Apple® products such as the iPod touch®, iPad® and iPhone® are arguably the most popular tech-savvy gadgets around today. With tons of great features and a sleek touch-screen look, these devices satisfy a great number of people. Recently, the use of applications that are a feature of the Apple products have skyrocketed.

According to APSense™, a global business social networking site, subscribers believe that “one of the most important reasons for the popularity of iPhone apps is that their use can be applied across various domains. Businesses are able to make use of iPhone application development to build customized apps that cater to specific business needs and requirements.” The applications do a great job of serving different interests, hobbies and industries.

One of the areas seeing the creation of an increasing number of applications is the dental industry. As I researched applications that applied to dentistry, I was surprised to see the abundance of different apps and the different platforms available for them. These apps ranged from dental games to dental facts; from business information for the average patient to services that provide dental practices with everyday administrative assistance.

Below, I have provided a list of a few of the popular iPhone, iPod touch and iPad apps that dental geeks are using; some of the apps are also available for the Android™:

1. Dental Expert & Pediatric Dental Expert – A patient’s guide to understanding all aspects of dentistry and its procedures. These apps include features such as Myth vs. Fact, Fun Facts, “Ask the Expert,” and before-and-after pictures.
2. Brush-n-Boogie – This groovy app is for anyone who brushes their teeth daily (I hope that’s you!). Brush-n-Boogie is a very creative app that times individuals while they brush their teeth. Funky music is played in the background to give the brusher a beat.  Other features include dental appointment reminders and directions on which parts of the mouth are important to brush.
3. C+M Dental app from Cendres+Métaux SA – A dentist’s and dental technician’s best friend, and also available for the Android. This informative app provides dental practices with different resources for all specialties in dentistry. Dentists can experience the simulation feature, which allows them to practice and conduct a virtual hands-on mounting procedure for C+M’s implant product, the SFI-Bar®.
4. Dental Assistant – Your own personal robot, this intelligent app provides dental professionals with patient information right at their fingertips. Practitioners can keep records for all their patients, as well as their data, with easy-to-use, touch-screen accessibility.
5. Monster Mouth DDS – For the young dental geek, this game will get kids wanting to maintain a healthy mouth. Children are able to take the dentist’s role and keep the cartoon monsters’ mouths clean. The app allows dental tasks such as brushing, flossing and capping teeth. The user must follow the directions to beat the game. Monster Mouth DDS is also available for Android users.

Remember, these are just a few of the applications available for dentists and patients!

Which dental applications are your favorites?

-Lynn White, Lanmark360 Intern

The official Dental Geek, Lanmark360's Michael McCarthy, covers his top 5 most important dental trade shows. What are your thoughts? Are there any shows you'd add to this list?

(Author Kristine A. Hodsdon, RDH, BS)

Spring is here, and so is part two of “Light a Fire Under Your Career.”

So, if you want to make your dental or hygiene career red-hot, these 7 approaches can clear the space and create the spark.

1. Don't Force Yourself to Figure out Your “Ultimate” Career Goal

And don't let not knowing your “exact” career path prevent you from making smart career moves. This mind-set does two things: removes pressure from decision-making and supports a flexible approach because you're not constrained by a prearranged plan. For example, if you are interviewing at a dental practice and it seems like a fit, yet perhaps doesn’t provide all the hours you desire, try it out. If you are proactive, you could increase production for the office, which will increase your value and demand.

2. Make the Most of Things

There's a big difference between settling and making the most of a situation. Settling encourages stagnation, while accepting added responsibilities for future benefit, for example, is being strategic. This approach challenges the mind and allows for the mastery of new skills, which results in clarity and confidence when making career moves. So learn as much as you can about CAMBRA, caries detection and oral cancer devices, stem cell banking, probiotics – anything and everything that will give you the edge.

3. Take a Vacation

Too much focus can be counterproductive. Whether it's a week in Mexico or a day away from home, a change of pace and scenery isn't just fun, it allows the brain to problem solve subconsciously and effortlessly. Hint: leave your smart phone in a drawer!!

4. Sell Yourself

When you're updating a résumé or home page, it's best not to “leave things to the imagination.” Using numbers to document performance makes an impression.

“Managed a multi-doctor recare system and decreased no-shows by 20%” is more impressive than “worked as an administrative assistant.”

5. It Really Should Have Stayed in Vegas

It's a world where anyone can get the lowdown on anyone, so why sabotage a current or future career? Potential clients and employers frequently use Google, Facebook, LinkedIn and/or Twitter to help make hiring decisions. What will they find? Save the racy photos and off-color remarks for “friends only.”

6. Do Something Dangerous

Try enrolling in a public speaking or business program, volunteer at a dental charity event, or write an email to a well-known professional and ask for advice. Being courageous provides accelerated personal growth, which results in new and unexpected opportunities.

7. R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Finding a respected mentor/coach can supercharge a career. Be selective; taking bad advice sinks a career just as fast as not taking any advice. Avoiding pitfalls, having a sounding board and learning from others’ mistakes are just a few benefits that an experienced mentor/career coach provides.

Now go play with some matches and light the fire under your career!!

When it comes to Continuing Education (CE) and license renewal, it is important to identify what is right for you as a dental professional. There are many options to choose from, such as conferences, seminars, meetings, college courses, home study, or online courses.

For individuals or practices considering online dental CE courses or home study, four points to help make your decision easier are discussed below, courtesy of the American Dental Institute (ADI):

1.     What are your specific requirements for re-licensure and certification?

Many state boards require that dental professionals receive continuing education in order to renew their licenses. Because the state boards dictate the amount, format, and even content of continuing education, it is important that their rules and regulations be considered when making continuing education choices. Home study credits are accepted by every state.

The American Dental Institute makes it easy for dentists, dental hygienists, and dental assistants to fulfill state dental continuing education requirements. ADI offers state packs that include all of the continuing education credits, including state-mandated courses that are allowable through home study. ADI monitors state dental boards for the most up-to-date continuing education requirements for license renewal for all dental professionals. However, it is the responsibility of the licensee to determine if a course meets all of the content requirements or restrictions imposed by an individual state licensing board. Be sure to contact your state’s dental board.

2.     What are your education goals?

Selection of continuing education activities should foster individual and professional growth. Look for programs that will enhance your job performance or practice. Identify what your needs are — what gaps in knowledge and/or skills do you feel you need to address to better meet the needs of your patients?

Rapid advances in health care and technology require all healthcare professionals to become lifelong learners. To remain competent, you must remain current. You must keep abreast of changes in the field to foster safer practices. For example, did you know that April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month? Check out ADI’s newest course on oral cancer: Oral Cancer Update - Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management, or visit the American Dental Institute site to browse more relevant dental topics.

3.       What can you afford?

Individuals and practices should budget for continuing education. The cost of continuing education can vary greatly from one program to another. Set aside funds to be used for training yourself or your staff.  Home study is an affordable way of providing continuing education with low costs, and no lost office hours, billable hours, or earnings associated with traveling to a conference, seminar, class, etc.

Many dental and medical offices purchase a bundle of continuing education courses for their staff. This can encourage staff members to identify topics they are interested in learning more about. It can be very costly to have a staff member miss work for CE purposes. Get a reduced rate when buying in bulk for the whole office and choose topics you want your staff to learn more about. For more information on discounts for bulk sales, click here or call 1-888-396-1051.

If your employer funds CE, take advantage of it. If you are financing your CE yourself, shop around. There’s a wide range of pricing, and cost is not necessarily commensurate with value. You can find great content that is not expensive.

4.     Which content is most valuable?

There are a variety of continuing education resources available — some credible, some not. Look for continuing education programs providers that are accredited or approved. The American Dental Institute is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry, and is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. Click here for more information.

Certified continuing education providers go through a rigorous process to become approved and must adhere to specific requirements or standards (criteria) that guide the design and delivery of continuing education courses. This ensures that educational content is of a higher quality, educationally sound, non-biased, and free from commercial influence.

By using this incremental checklist to determine your education plan, you will complete your CE requirements in no time, and ensure that your license(s) and certifications remain current!

Plan ahead, take advantage of all the great courses out there, and be proud of your accomplishments. With each CE course you complete, you’re expanding your knowledge, improving your skills, and promoting better patient care!

ABOUT THE AMERICAN DENTAL INSTITUTE:

Since 1982, The American Dental Institute has provided continuing education for dental professionals to fulfill their Dental CE licensure requirement. More than 35,000 dental professionals in 45 states have participated in ADI’s CE program – a low-cost, self-paced program that is readily accessible and easy to use. The American Dental Institute is designated as an Approved PACE Program Provider by the Academy of General Dentistry, and is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. http://www.adinet.org

We recently received a video from Dr. Marty Jablow, industry thought leader and dental blogger, titled Take Five with Marty. This video is part of a series, and a new project the dentist is cooking up. We wanted to share the video with our readers, and while we’re at it, we asked Dr. Jablow to answer a few questions about the new web series.

Q: What is Take Five with Marty, and why was the show developed?

A: Take Five with Marty is a web-based video show that gives dentists an alternative to the infomercial videos that we are accustomed to seeing on many websites. The show was developed to be an alternative to the current way video is used to educate dentists. I wanted dentists to hear about the latest dental research, clinical tips and information they can put to use in their practices, in a non-commercialized approach. You won’t hear about the latest composites, but you will get relevant information on varied topics, all in a short five minutes.

Q: If dental professionals are interested in being guests on the show, what should they do?

A: If a dentist, auxiliary or hygienist has a clinical tip or topic that they think would be of help to their fellow dental professionals, we will be happy to give it consideration for airing. Please send an email to info@takefivewithmarty.com. You can be interviewed in the studio in West Long Branch if you are near or traveling through NJ, or via Skype videoconferencing.

Q: How are you able to sustain the show?

A: Currently, the show is self-funded. Over time, I hope to have a single sponsor to support the costs of production. If your company is interested in sponsoring a show, please email info@takefivewithmarty.com.

Q: When will new episodes air, and how can we become notified?

A: Expect new episodes twice a month. You can find Take Five with Marty on many dental websites worldwide that you may already frequent. To see which websites host the show, go to www.TakeFiveWithMarty.com. You can also be notified by “liking” the show on Facebook, www.facebook.com/takefivewithmarty, or by following us on Twitter: @take5withmarty.