The cost of the Tooth Fairy

All parents have come to this situation, how much should the Tooth Fairy pay for a tooth?

In a survey by the Chicago Dental Society earlier this year, more than half of the respondents thought $1 per tooth was a fair price for the Tooth Fairy. However, 16 percent said the Fairy should pay $2 per tooth, and 17 percent said $5 per tooth.

There are several things to consider …

HIV testing in the dental chair

A New York dentist started offering HIV tests at her dental office.  Dr. Catrise Austin started offering the test in July and has already test over 100 patients. The test works by swiping a patient’s upper and lower gums with a $15 OraQuick Advance kit. Within 20 minutes, the swab will change colors to indicate a positive or negative result.

Nationwide, a handful of public health agencies, including in New …

Iowa dentist awaits unprofessional conduct hearing

This story shows why it is important to research a dentist before becoming their patient.

The Iowa Dental Board has scheduling a disciplinary hearing next month for Dr. Peter Vidal. He is accused of unprofessional conduct, willfully or repeatedly violating a rule of the board and failing to comply with discipline imposed by the Board.

In February of 2008, The Iowa Dental board accused Dr. Vidal of performing unnecessary (and …

25 Extra Root Canals

An Australian dentist has been ordered to pay more than $345,000 in compensation and interest for giving a patient 28 root canals when he only needed 3 root canals. Todd Dean was working as a tree trimmer when he got hit in the face by a small log in December 2001. Dean suffered 3 chipped teeth, which he sought treatment for by Dr. Mark Phung.

During 2002 and 2003, Dr. …