A reminder to tune into the Disrupting Dentistry Podcast

Areminder to tune into the Disrupting Dentistry podcast, now with more than 50 episodes in the can since its launch in 2021. Produced by our own dental hygienist Tabitha Acret and her bestie, fellow dental hygienist Melissa Obrotka from New Jersey, the podcast covers a broad range of topics including Product Creation; Dental Phobias; Technology in Dentistry; Career Development; Dental Anxiety; Making a Professional Comeback; Alternative Career Paths in Orthodontics; Menopause; Red flags in the dental practice; Disrupting the Profession; Brain Health and more. Scan the QR code on your iPhone or Google “Disrupting Dentistry podcast” to find a version for your platform of choice.

Do I REELY have to use Reels in social media?

If we’ve learnt anything about social media in 2023, it’s that nothing stays the same. While the main players in social media are reasonably consistent from one year to the next, appearing strongly in each of them is a constantly evolving field.

One area that is getting a lot of attention is the ubiquitous Reel. A Reel is a short piece of video, typically between 15 and 90 seconds, designed to capture people’s attention.

Reels can be used on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube (aka Shorts) and TikTok, so there is the potential to use the same material multiple times on different channels. And reels/videos achieve a double whammy in terms of engaging potential patients because...

There is a growing trend of users watching more video online - CISCO found that 80% of internet traffic in 2020 was video, compared to just 50% in 2016 while online video consumption has been on the rise with the current average viewer spending 17 hours a week watching digital videos in 2023; and Social media platforms prioritise “Reels” over text or images i.e. if you a deliver an identical message via Reels or a different technique, the Reel will almost certainly get more views.

Here are some other benefits of Reels:

Stand out from other dentists: in the past few months at live events, I’ve asked literally hundreds of dentists in Australia whether they are using video to promote their practice. Based on my survey, only around 5-10% are doing so which is a huge opportunity you can capitalise on;

Communication and virality: Reels allow you to create captivating videos that leave a lasting impression. They offer potential virality by being featured on content feeds plus dedicated Reels sections, helping you expand your audience and gain brand exposure; and

Authentic Connection: With Reels, you can share behind-the-scenes, educational material and entertaining content in a friendly and conversational tone to establish a genuine connection.

In summary, utilising Reels in your social media strategy in 2023 can help you capture attention, boost your reach and create meaningful connections with your audience.

By Angus Pryor... more at dentalmarketingsolutions.com.au

Pandemic PPE price gouging

As the world prepared and responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020, a rapid increase in demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) led to severe shortages worldwide. In a 151-bed hospital located in Chicago, Illinois, PPE market prices paid were tracked during the first surge of the pandemic (April-June 2020), in terms of the maximum cost per unit (CPU) of PPE, compared with pre-pandemic (April-June 2019) prices in US dollars. The analysis included disposable gowns, N95 respirators, face masks and gloves. PPE prices were significantly higher during the first wave of the pandemic compared to prepandemic prices. The CPU for gloves increased from $0.05 to $0.12; surgical face masks from $0.05 to $0.45; N95 respirators from $0.98 to $7.40; and disposable gowns from $0.87 to $6.60. Based on the peak prices, the CPU for gloves rose by 2.5 times, face masks by 11 times, N95 respirators by 8 times, and gowns by 13.7 times compared with the pre-pandemic price. Before the pandemic, hospitals were spending ˜$7 per patient on PPE and this rose to $20.40 during the first wave of COVID-19 in August 2020. Multiple factors likely contributed to high prices, including demand shock, disrupted supply chains and a rush to acquire PPE by healthcare systems and by the general population alike. The global PPE supply chain did not properly operate to meet the demands of healthcare systems across the world. Many factors such as the shortage of raw materials, export bans and restraints in logistics contributed to 4-6 month backlogs for global supply orders of PPE. Several strategies for pandemic-specific supply-chain management can be suggested: global PPE standards, production changeover, joint procurement, multiple sourcing, monitoring PPE use and visibility of orders, improving supply systems and sharing responsibility and improving domestic manufacturing surge capacity during the event.

Patel R, et al. Cost of personal protective equipment during the first wave of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (2023), 1–2. doi:10.1017/ice.2023.115