Dental Economics

"Dental Economics" is an excellent resource for dental practices. The magazine deals mostly with the business end of dentistry with recent articles like "Money Smart, 'Background and Credit Checks,'" "Flourishing in Changing Times," and "Dental Insurance, 'Benefits for Restorative Procedures.'" In addition to these more business-oriented articles, the magazine runs several general articles per issue designed for dentists in all practices. These run from useful articles for new dentists ("The New Dentist, 'Protect Yourself!'") to a fascinating exploration of the National Museum of Dentistry (located at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, site of the world's first dental school) which is extraordinary in scope. I was particularly interested to note that the museum now has traveling exhibits, which will certainly improve the image of dentistry throughout the country. The article in the March 2006 issue touched on the traveling exhibit titled "Branches, Bristles, and Batteries: Toothbrushes Through Time" which began a three year tour in 2002. The magazine also gave excellent coverage to permanent exhibitions such as "Saliva: A Remarkable Fluid" which was done in conjunction with the human genome project. This is the type of high profile exposure that can really aid the dental care giving profession, and I am delighted at the quality of reporting in "Dental Economics."

There are numerous advertisements in the magazine, but all are relevant and most dentists will find them unobtrusive and in some cases helpful. The editorials are thoughtful and well written. Penwell publishers can be justifiably proud of this magazine and the more advertisement-oriented sister publication "Dental Equipment and Materials" which it also publishes.

All dental professionals will benefit from reading "Dental Economics" and I recommend it to dentists, hygienists, and other parties interested in modern dentistry.