August Comex gold futures are trading higher shortly before the regular session opening. After hitting a six-week low on Monday on a fluke trade, the market is being driven higher today by bargain hunters and a weaker U.S. Dollar.

The dollar is down against a basket of currencies, led by a surge in the Euro. The single currency is being supported by hawkish comments from European Central Bank President Mario Draghi. The EUR/USD surged to its highest level in over a week after Draghi said factors weighing on inflation in the Euro Zone were mainly temporary and the ECB could look through them.

Read more via Gold Price Futures (GC) Technical Analysis – June 27, 2017 Forecast | FXEmpire.com

Photo courtesy VA.gov

Remember the class you took in dental school all about interviewing and hiring terrific team members? No? Of course not! Chances are there wasn’t one. It is no wonder that dental teams are frustrated with the process of interviewing and hiring.

Just like prepping a crown, there is a process to hiring that, if done correctly, will yield a great fit, but if not, you will lose time and money and a bit of your sanity in the process. Here are 6 mistakes dentists make while hiring and a few tips on how to avoid them.

Not Asking the Same Questions

Oftentimes we go into an interview with the plan to “feel the candidate out.” We chat, ask about past experience and school, maybe jot down a few notes, and that’s it. Doctors and office managers base their hiring decision on how they “felt” about the candidate. In this case, there is no real metric by which to compare competitors.

This laissez-faire approach will not land you the best fit. What happens if you like 2 candidates equally? What if you and your office manager disagree? Without a standardized way to compare candidates, you will not get the most out of your hire. Instead, go into the interview with a standard set of questions each interviewee is asked. Our suggestions are as follows:

• What type of culture do you think you fit best in?
• What does your ideal work place look like? What did you not like about your last job?
• What core values are most important to you?
• What do you like about our practice, and why do you want to work here?
• What do you think you could bring to our practice, and how could you add value?

– See more via Six Mistakes Dentists Make When Hiring (and How to Avoid Them!) | Dentistry Today

Daily Tips for Good Oral Hygiene

Bacteria can live in your mouth in the form of plaque, causing cavities and gingivitis, which can lead to periodontal (gum) disease. In order to keep your mouth clean, you must practice good  oral hygiene every day.

What is plaque?

Plaque is a sticky layer of material containing bacteria that accumulates on teeth, including where toothbrushes can’t reach. Many of the foods you eat cause the bacteria in your mouth to produce acids. Sugary foods are obvious sources of plaque, but there are others that you might not realize can cause harm. Starches—such as bread, crackers, and cereal—also cause acids to form. Plaque also produces substances that irritate the gums, making them red, sensitive, and susceptible to bleeding. This can lead to gum disease, in which gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets that fill with bacteria and pus. If the gums are not treated, the bone around the teeth can be destroyed and teeth may become loose or have to be removed.

Read more via Know Your Teeth – Infobites – Daily Tips for Good Oral Hygiene — Search By Keyword, Letter or Phrase – 1-877-2X-A-YEAR (1-877-292-9327)

By Mark Miller | CHICAGO

If you plan to retire soon, add this item to your to-do list: a visit to the dentist before your dental insurance disappears.

Retirees transitioning to Medicare are often surprised to learn that the program does not cover routine dental care or more complex procedures.

Overall, 40 percent of the 65-plus population has some form of dental benefit, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. For seniors who use Medicare Advantage managed care plans, about half offer very limited coverage for cleanings and exams. A small percentage of seniors have dental insurance from a former employer, and Medicaid covers dental care for low-income residents in some states, although benefits vary. Some buy individual commercial plans or have coverage through an association such as AARP.

Read more via Add bite to your retirement dental plan | Reuters

Although the principles of infection control remain unchanged, new technologies, materials, equipment, and data require continuous evaluation of current infection control practices. The unique nature of many dental procedures, instruments, and patient care settings also may require specific strategies directed to preventing pathogen transmission among dental health care personnel and their patients.

CDC’s evidence-based recommendations guide infection control practices in dental offices nationally and globally; provide direction for the public, dental health care personnel and policymakers; and affect technology development in the dental industry.

Read more via home | Infection Prevention & Control in Dental Settings | Division of Oral Health