Choose faith over fear

I’m sitting at my computer on a beautiful day, writing my winter message, and Billy Joel’s song, “Keeping the Faith” started playing. It started me thinking of the past and the future and how sometimes, it seems easier to stay “lost in let’s remember” than move forward and face an often scary unknown.

One of my most meaningful mantras is “faith over fear.” It is so easy to keep to the same schedule, keep the same business protocols, and the same way of doing things, in a safe comfort zone. MedMark publications are meant to help you break out of that habit. We want you to not only read about the expanding opportunities for every aspect of your practice, but also to have the foresight to bring these innovations into your practice for your patients and your own success.

After almost 2 decades of dental publishing, I have seen many advancements revolutionize dental specialties. I remember when dentists were wary of finding a new use for their darkroom space and welcoming digital imaging into the practice. Now, not only X-rays, but a myriad of digital technologies connect every aspect of the practice, from X-rays, to practice management, to marketing, and connecting with patients. Even AI has found its way to the dental office. AI is constantly evolving, so all of you brave “early adopters” should be excited about the prospects on that topic!

No matter your specialty, innovations have transformed the way dental professionals practice — choices for clear aligner materials and 3D printing for orthodontists, new implant technologies for implant-focused dentists, and files and equipment to clean the root canal space for longer-lasting endodontic results. I have a personal involvement in many important breakthroughs affecting and saving the lives of those who suffer from sleep-breathing disorders. We have been honored all these years to bring new concepts and insights to our pages to bring you all of the latest clinical and business options.

In our winter issue, here are some articles that will help you to fulfill your ambitious and enlightened goals. Our Cover Story focuses on Dr. Sonia Chopra’s journey of growth and how support from Specialty1 Partners helped to take the practice’s administrative weight off her shoulders and allowed her to focus on patient care. Our CE by Drs. Mahmood Reza Kalantar Motamedi and Brett E. Gilbert explains how lateral canals and sealer puffs can be storytellers about the pulp system anatomy. The article by Drs. Diana Bronstein and Rita Steiner about the management of pre- and postoperative dental and surgical pain gives us a look at reducing patient dependence on opioids for pain management. Dr. Gregory Kurtzman writes about treatment planning decisions and the often difficult choice between endodontics and implants.

We can do the research, but you have to take the leap of faith. Billy Joel’s song has the right idea about honoring the past but propelling ourselves into the future:

“You can get just so much from a good thing
You can linger too long in your dreams
Say goodbye to the oldies but goodies
‘Cause the good ole days weren’t always good
And tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”

Don’t linger too long while others take initiative. Choose faith over fear to flourish personally and professionally!

To your best success,

Lisa Moler