Author: Lenny Morgan

5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Getting Braces

Braces effectively correct crooked teeth, crowded teeth, and bad dental work. More so, if you have a misaligned bite, braces can help straighten and align your teeth. Before now, braces were predominantly worn by teenagers to correct long-standing dental issues.

These days, they have become a popular fashion trend among adults. Before you book a session with your orthodontist, you must have all the information to ensure you’re making the right decision. On that note, we’ve listed some vital things to know before getting braces.

1. Some braces can be aesthetically pleasing.


Modern brace designs feature a mix of aesthetics and practicality. Ceramic braces are more aesthetically pleasing than traditional metal braces. Moreover, their compact shape makes them more comfortable. Brace designs are somewhat similar to gel nail art designs since you can personalize them. For instance, Invisalign is a custom-made plastic aligner. The custom clear aligners are removable and should be replaced every two weeks.

2. You have many options.


If you want dental braces, you should know all kinds of options available. The best option for you might not be the best for someone else. That’s why it’s vital to see a dentist or orthodontist who can lay out all your options. An orthodontist will give you a professional assessment of which treatment option might be best.

Of all the types of options available, the dilemma many people face borders around Invisalign vs braces. Though expensive, Invisalign allows you to eat and drink whatever you want. That said, the most affordable and common kind of treatment option is metal braces. Some other options include ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign.

3. Age doesn’t count.


You don’t have to be of a specific age group to wear a brace. Besides, an orthodontist can administer an orthodontic treatment to a child with primary teeth. Most orthodontics advocate that the ideal time for getting dental braces is when the teeth are more amenable to straightening.

Ideally, children between 10 and 14 years of age can wear braces. The bottom line is that orthodontic patients can benefit from a treatment plan at nearly any age, depending on what’s been recommended. There was a time when braces were popular among teenagers. In recent years, we’ve seen many adults go in to get their braces done for cosmetic reasons or to correct minor dental issues.

4. Braces can be uncomfortable.

If you’re only using braces to make a fashion statement, know that it will cause you great discomfort. This is especially true when you first wear them and after every adjustment. Fortunately, you won’t feel pain when an orthodontist applies it to your teeth. It’s possible you will only feel a mild soreness after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the metal bracket.

Regardless of how uncomfortable braces are, be patient and follow the treatment plan your orthodontist prescribed to you. Before you say jack, you’ll have a perfect set of teeth and a beautiful smile. Besides, the point of wearing braces is to create a healthy bite and improve your overall oral health.

5. Your dietary plan will change.


This is one of the things you’ll appreciate knowing before getting braces. If you’re a food enthusiast (and an unapologetic one at that), you might need to rethink your decision to get a brace. The thought of having to make some dietary changes is one of the most challenging parts of wearing braces. There’s a long list of things you shouldn’t eat when wearing braces.

The good news is that braces are temporary, and in no time, you would be back to enjoying your favorite recipes. More importantly, try to clean your teeth thoroughly to prevent the growth of bacteria between the tight places and along gum lines.

Why You Need Tail Insurance for Your Medical Practice

Most adults are aware they may need life, auto, and homeowner’s insurance. Business owners and employees may need additional forms of insurance to protect their income and business.

Doctors, dentists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and audiologists are medical professionals who may have a medical practice. If you’re a healthcare provider with practice, you may need additional insurance, including tail insurance.

What is tail insurance?


Insurance that covers medical professionals after they’ve left a job is called tail insurance. Healthcare providers need medical malpractice insurance to protect themselves from medical malpractice lawsuits. Malpractice insurance covers the costs of legal fees and settlements in the event of a malpractice lawsuit.

Once you leave your job, however, your medical malpractice insurance for that place of employment ends. This means you aren’t covered for any future claims related to your last place of employment.

You can protect yourself from future claims when you leave a job by securing tail insurance from an insurance company. The only living medical professionals who do not need to pay for tail insurance are those who become disabled or retire.

Tail insurance is expensive. Instead of paying additional premiums, policyholders must pay a one-time lump sum for tail insurance. Following a career change, insurers offer policyholders 30 days to obtain tail coverage.

Why do medical professionals need tail insurance?


Medical professionals may be sued for several reasons. Medical malpractice doesn’t just encompass active wrongdoing on the part of healthcare providers. Malpractice suits can be filed for negligence if the patient feels you haven’t provided the minimum standard of care required.

The needs of each client can complicate allegations of negligence. For example, when communicating with seniors, medical professionals must consider the unique needs of older adults. If you’re treating an older adult with Alzheimer’s, you may also need to communicate with caregivers or family members. This can present legal issues if the patient hasn’t assigned medical power of attorney to a caregiver or family member, because the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) prevents medical professionals from disclosing patient information without legal authorization.

Healthcare professionals may also face communication challenges if they’re treating patients whose first language isn’t English. Miscommunication can complicate healthcare delivery and lead to potential legal issues. Ultimately, securing tail insurance is a good idea because it ensures you can change your place of employment with peace of mind. If legal issues do arise, your insurance company has an active policy that will protect you from bearing the costs of legal fees and settlements.

How do healthcare providers obtain tail coverage?

Start by contacting your current insurance company to get a quote for tail insurance coverage. Once you’ve received the quote, contact other insurance providers to determine the best rate they offer and find the best tail policy option. For example, MEDPLI employs tail insurance specialists who strive to provide the amount of coverage required for the best rate possible. Comparison shopping is the best way to ensure you get the amount of coverage you need at the best price.

You can prepare for your career change by setting aside extra money to cover tail coverage costs. It’s normal for tail insurance to cost over $10,000.

What other forms of insurance do medical professionals need?


As a healthcare worker, you need multiple forms of insurance. You need medical malpractice insurance to protect yourself if you’re sued. Malpractice insurance pays for your legal expenses. It also covers the costs of a judgment or settlement.

You also need income protection insurance, particularly if you have a practice. Income protection insurance protects you if you’re unable to work. If you’re injured in an accident or become ill, your income protection insurance provides compensation while you’re off work. Since medical professionals are regularly exposed to viruses through their work, income protection insurance is the best way to protect your income.

You should also obtain a term life insurance policy. You can review policy options from life insurers by accessing life insurance quotes online. Follow the prompts to receive a free quote to determine how much coverage you can receive and your coverage premiums.

Medical professionals may face unique challenges that make it challenging to communicate effectively with patients. Since medical professionals can be sued for negligence, it’s crucial healthcare providers who change jobs obtain tail insurance. Tail insurance extends their malpractice insurance to protect them from lawsuits filed after they change their place of employment. Healthcare providers also need other forms of insurance, including income protection insurance and life insurance.

How Do Exoskeletons Work?

Exoskeletons tend to be the stuff of dreams, especially for fans of science fiction. There are many examples of how this device is used in fantastic settings, in some of our favorite pieces of sci-fi entertainment. In Aliens, the heroine fights a gigantic, acid-spewing Alien queen with the use of a power loader exoskeleton. In all of the Iron Man movies, Tony Stark uses a variety of exoskeleton suits to save the day. In the billion-dollar grossing Avatar movie, an amplified mobility suit/ exoskeleton is used by the bad guy mercenaries to take on the Na’vi, and of course who could forget the robotic exoskeleton that is Robocop?

Such futuristic outfits are fantastical in their idea of what exoskeletons would eventually look like, and what they might be used for. But these robots are not actually fantasy. In the current day, exoskeletons do exist and provide an important service to their users. Exoskeletons are wearable devices that work hand-in-hand with their operators. They are usually used to augment, reinforce, or restore performance for a human wearer. This is done by being placed on the body, essentially acting as an amplifier to their movements.

Where do exoskeletons come from?

These devices are often made out of metal or carbon fibers (rigid materials) or are composed of soft and elastic parts. Exoskeletons were first invented in the 1960s by General Electric, with the creation of a device called the Hardiman. The first exoskeleton was a large full-body device that was designed to augment the wearer’s strength and enable the lifting of heavy objects, whilst reducing fatigue. At the end of that same decade, gait-assistance exoskeletons were created at the Mihajlo Pupin Institute in Serbia. By the time the 1970s came around, another gait-assistance exoskeleton was created at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Since then exoskeleton innovation has hit a variety of technological heights. Towards the end of the 2010s, a variety of lightweight military exoskeleton prototypes had been developed. The goal for these was to augment a user’s strength and endurance. Post-2010, there were several gait-assistance and restoration exoskeletons that were introduced to the public. An example of this is Ekso Bionics’ various robotic exoskeleton, produced by this industry leader, based in the United States.

How does the exoskeleton work?

To answer the question of how such devices work, we must first begin by discussing the frame of an exoskeleton. Depending on what materials went into making them, they are often lightweight and allow quite a degree of freedom when it comes to movement. The frame goes around the user’s body, or part of their body, depending on the type being used. In some cases, the exoskeletons can contain sensors that are used to monitor and then respond to a person’s movements.


What do they run on?

Exoskeletons require different types of power sources to help them operate. They can be either motorized or mechanical, while others run on electricity. Some exoskeletons don’t require any electricity and offer more freedom for a user. One useful example of seeing how these work is in the EksoUE suit. The EksoUE is an exoskeleton that assists patients who have limited mobility or limb injury in the upper body. The exoskeleton technology works with a patient’s affected shoulder and arm during his or her rehabilitation. This device is a wearable upper-extremity type of medical exoskeleton.

This device has interchangeable springs, which allows for different powered active-assisted function movement. The device’s operation is based on the patient’s strength, endurance, and the weight of their limb or extremity. This is often how most other exoskeletons work, as they are based around the user who is operating them. In the case of the EksoUE, how the exoskeleton operates is based on how the patient utilizes the device. These devices are often used for occupational or physical therapy sessions. This helps to allow for longer and more high-intensity therapy sessions and is a huge assist in increasing muscle activity, and motor functions.