Mary Ellen Cagnassola

For practices just starting out or struggling to bring in new patients, though, social media is a powerful tool whose cost is a small fraction of what billboards and print ads cost.

Cosmetic dentists and surgeons see traits of Body Dysmorphic Disorder more than any other clinician. The way you handle these cases can put you at legal and financial risk. Find out what one cosmetic dentist advises.

Chinese mysticism may not be a huge consideration in the way you run your practice. There is no way to verify the value of Feng Shui, but it cannot be denied that paying attention to the colors and arrangement of your home and business can make you and your patients feel more content. Continue below for DMD's top five tips to get you started on improving your Feng Shui.

For recent dental school graduates, loan payments are a heavy burden, leading some to question whether their profession is worth the more than $260,000 in debt. Credible Labs Inc. released a study analyzing U.S. cities in relation to overall student loan debt. Continue below to find out which locations owe the most and the least in loans.

Busy schedules and long commutes often leave us with less reading time than we would like. It can be even harder to keep yourself stimulated while handling your daily responsibilities. Podcasts are one way to stay up-to-date and learn something new without stopping what you're doing. Continue below for DMD's top program recommendations.

In dentistry and medicine, man-made complications can damage more than just your ego. A recent study investigated the prevalence of human error in implant dentistry, and its conclusions may surprise some dentists. Continue below to find out more.

Sharks are known for their ability to regenerate thousands of razor-sharp teeth in their lifetime. But according to a new study, everyone's favorite ocean predator can tell us something about our own species. Continue below to learn more.

WalletHub's latest report measures the budgets of 150 of the largest U.S. cities against the services available to its residents. Indicators such as air quality, violent crime and infant mortality were also factored in. Continue below to find out if your city made one of the lists.

Ergonomics has become a buzzword in dentistry in recent years, and for good reason. One of the main causes of the prevalent muscular imbalances and problems among dental care providers are the awkward positions and repetitive movements that remain an inherent part of providing care to patients. Continue below to find out which activities are the most harmful and what you can do to prevent symptoms.

Doctor, business person, mentor, dentists wear many hats in managing their own practices, leaving many with limited time. Apps are one convenient way to optimize your working hours and create more freedom for yourself. Continue below to see DMD's top picks to help you manage you life and business.

Medical science has come a long way in the past 100 years, dentistry included. But prior to regulations, laws and, well, actual peer-reviewed knowledge, what physicians and dentists did to their patients was nothing short of absurd by today's standards. In fact, a visit to the dentist in bygone eras could often do more harm than good. Continue below to see how dentistry has advanced.

Understanding what motivates consumers in the competitive dental industry is a top concern for practice owners, who rely on new and returning patients to survive. With all the options available in states like California, Texas and New York, practicing dentists in areas with high concentrations of dental care providers would be wise to practice some active listening. Continue below to find out how to be the perfect dentist in the eyes of patients.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest data on annual salaries for dental health care providers. We cut through all the numbers to provide you with what you want, and need to know. Continue below to find out which specialists make the most, where dentists are needed, top-paying industries, and more.

There is no doubt that drug addiction, particularly addiction to opiates, is a public health crisis that crosses regional, racial and class boundaries in the United States today. While it is expected that less-urgent matters take a backseat as doctors, researchers, police and governments on every level scramble to address sky-rocketing overdose deaths, less trendy issues, both new and old, are becoming worse. In Appalachia, long-neglected dental health affects people of all ages, and while the region may be infamous for its poor oral hygiene, it is hardly the only one suffering from this health care emergency.

Working in the medical industry is a rewarding and meaningful opportunity to help others. But sometimes, patients can be whiny, inconsiderate nightmares that make doctors question why they even bother. With dental fear being one of the most common medical phobias, dentists deal with this perhaps more than any other health care provider. DMD put together a comprehensive list of top complaints from dentists, so scroll below to see if any of your pet peeves made the cut.

After being withdrawn in January, the EPA has reinstated a new rule requiring U.S. dental offices to install amalgam separators, effective July 14. Working in collaboration with the ADA to create a sensible approach to dental amalgam waste management, both organizations hope to phase in the new regulations over the next three years. Read on to find out what your practice will need to do to comply.

In the male-dominated medical industry, women have long struggled to gain both access to education and recognition for their accomplishments. Dentistry is no exception, as of 2004, the American Dental Association reported that only 19 percent of U.S. dentists were women compared to 30 percent of physicians. Armed with periodontal probes and passion for patient care, the following women are helping to raise that percentage and re-define what it means to be a dental professional.