By Becky O’Guin, CDA Communications Director From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Dentists have many reasons for volunteering their unique skill set to people who cannot afford to go to the dentist. For Dr. Nate Kunzman the reason is gratefulness for the gift he has and the feeling he gets when he steps away from the …
Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent in a Zero-Unemployment Industry
By Kim McGuire From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Today’s dental industry, like many other industries, is facing an interesting challenge: too few people to do the jobs that are available. While I don’t have a crystal ball, I do know what some peak performing practices in Colorado are doing to recruit and retain great team …
Record Keeping: Friend or Foe? Part II Records Management
By Richard L. Murray, Jr. Esq. and H. Candace DeLapp, D.D.S. From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association “It was his story against mine, but of course, I told my story better.” Humphrey Bogart as Dixon Steel – In a Lonely Place (1950) These words still hold true today and your records provide the basis for your …
Navigating Student Debt as a New Dentist: Strategies for Managing Your Financial Future
By Darren Royal From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association As you embark on your journey as a newly minted dentist, it’s essential to address the financial challenges that come with graduating from dental school with substantial student debt. The debt levels for new dentists are significantly higher than the average student, and it’s crucial to have …
FAMLI Program update
By Pam Brockhaus, CDA Chief Financial Officer From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association As of Jan. 1, 2024, employees can begin applying for benefits under the FAMLI Act. Employers and employees began contributions to the program in 2023. Employees apply for benefits directly from the state. The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment has a wealth …
Dentist Dedicated to Helping Migrants and Refugees
By Becky O’Guin, CDA Director of Communications From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Dr. Steven Combs retired from private practice eight years ago, but still manages to work several Fridays a month at local surgery centers treating refugee children. This is not new work. When he had a private practice in Nebraska, he would dedicate his …
Thinking Beyond Self
By Becky O’Guin, CDA Director of Communications From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Volunteering offers opportunities to build skills that you may not necessarily learn just by going to dental school. It also provides something to think about besides yourself, according to CU dental students: Riley Spillar and Zach Zylstra. Both Spillar and Zylstra volunteer for …
Sometimes It’s OK to Work Harder, Not Smarter
By Molly Pereira, CDA Executive Director From the 2024 Winter Journal of the Colorado Dental Association I logged into a Zoom meeting last month during the crazy end-of-year hustle. While attendee heads were popping up on the screen, a random chat message appeared that said, “Hi, I’m an AI assistant helping Tamara take notes for this meeting. I’ll also take …
POP! A sound you don’t want hear when you’re 47-years-old
By Carrie Mauterer, D.D.S., CDA Editor From the Winter 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association Pop is such a cute, innocent little word with only three letters. It’s a super fun word when exploring the realms of onomatopoeia and palindromes. It’s one of the first words babies can say. It reminds us of bubblegum and popsicles and lollipops. It’s …
Gratefulness Instills Giving Heart in Volunteer Pediatric Dentist
By Becky O’Guin, Director of Communications From the Winter 2024 Journal of the Colorado Dental Association For Dr. Lisa Phillips, a board-certified pediatric dentist, volunteering is a way of life. She credits her dad for instilling that in her heart. He moved to the U.S. in 1969 from India and has always been grateful for the opportunity. She grew up …
