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Several letters to the editor are presented in response to articles in previous issues including Steve Dorran's comments on the "Testing Times" survey, an open letter concerning the Great Britain General Optical Council (GOC), and an article on the earnings of dentists in England and Wales.

The article reports on the plan of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to raise the pay for doctors and dentists to boost its recruitment and retention. The Physician-Dentist Pay Plan will be launched in early 2011. The plan will be based on the pay receive by physicians and dentists in the private sector, health facilities, certifications, publications and other achievements. DoD is also recruiting information technology workers, will launch a database on all of its employees and their skills and a marketing campaign about telework.

The article reports that majority of physicians at the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department (VA) will be eligible for salary increase starting July 2007. The agency is increasing its pay ranges and moving some doctors and dentists to higher-paying pay bands to be more competitive with the private sector. Under the revised pay scales, practicing physicians and dentists will receive $91,530 in each of the pay tables. It cites the principles followed by the agency in determining the pay ranges.

The article focuses on economic developments in dental practice. The average net income for an independent private practitioner who owned all or part of his or her dental practice in 2004 was $185,940 for a general practitioner and $315,160 for a specialist, according to the American Dental Association Survey. In 2006, except for hospital services and prescription drugs, Consumer Price Index for dental services was greater than that of all other health services.

The article reports on the findings of research from Reading University in England on the income of teachers and education lecturers compared with their opposite numbers in academe, presented at the Royal Economic Society's annual conference in April 2007. Researchers showed that academics earn 17% less than other equally qualified individuals in the accounting profession and 49% less than dentists. They emphasized that the salaries of academics may reduce further.

Provides tips for dentists and dental practice owners to observe when raising their fees. Consideration of an across the board increase; Percentage of fee increases for preventive services; Promotion of value for patients; Review of production reports; Fees for laboratory-related services; Examination of which procures are lower from fee survey data in one area.

Responds to queries regarding dental practice. Challenges confronting oral surgeons in administering orthodontics for rectifying tilted implants; Salary of a fresh dental school graduate during his first year of practice.

Reports on the pay system proposed by the U.S. Veterans Affairs Department in June 2003 for federal physicians and dentists. Number of physicians and dentists who would benefit from the proposal; Details of the proposed revised pay system; Steps taken to address weaknesses of the department.

The article focuses on the salary received by dentists who are members of the American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE). It notes that AAFE members have taken courses in Botox, dermal fillers, polydioxanone (PDO) thread lifts, temporal mandibular joint (TMJ) and orofacial pain trigger-point therapy, and dental sleep medicine. The financial impact that these services have made on the dental practice is highlighted.

Reports on provisions in the Senate and House versions of the 1998 defense authorization bill which would provide additional annual pay for dental officers in the US Armed Forces. Provisions' awarding of annual variable special pay and retention bonuses to dental officers; Military officials' concern about attracting and retaining dental officers.

Reports that Congress is planning to increase special pays for dental officers. Accession bonus; Aim of preventing shortage of dentists in the military.

Focuses on a proposal by the US Congress to increase the salaries of military dentists. Additional pay for the targeted dental officers; Military's offer of scholarships to attract medical doctors; Approval of accession bonuses for dentist recruits.

Reports on a Congressional proposal to raise the pay of military dentists in the United States. Predicted shortfall in military dentists by year 2000; Dental benefits for military families and retirees; Effect of the prevalence of dental and gum disease problems in the military.

Reports on the bonuses offered to military dentists by the United States (US) Department of Defense (DoD). Retention bonuses offered to oral-maxillofacial surgeons; Effectivity of the policy on bonuses; Requirements from oral-maxillofacial surgeons.

The article presents questions and answers related to the best ways to compensate a selling dentist who stays on with the practice for a time.

The article offers the author's insights on a scientific survey regarding general dentists' retirement preparedness and goals, the income and earnings of a dentist, and the behavior of dentists towards managing their income. Topics discussed include the average savings of dentists, the myth related to debt and investment return, and the money spent of dentists in their children, real estate and hobbies.

The article discusses the factors to consider in the retirement planning of American orthodontists. Accordingly, transition plans occur which the changes in lifestyle and financial availability intersect which is sometimes hindered due to the devaluation of retirement portfolio. The factors to consider include profitability, work value as well as understanding transition process. In addition, the author notes that investment while in practice is better to attain a secured future.

The article explores dental prosthetics and surgery as a source of income for dentists. Increasing percentage of adults being edentulous in the U.S. means increased income for dentists performing dental implants. It discusses how dental implants, implant prosthetics and implant surgery can generate income for dentists. It advises practitioners to have proper training or a structured course for implant surgery and to join an implant organization to expose oneself and to develop concepts for patients.

The article shares the author's business action plan as a dentist who wants to boost his income, case acceptance rate, or the number of patients. He mentions topics such as profitability and stress level in the profession. He suggests some of the keys to taking action that have helped him make changes and achieve success in his practice, including to take action inspite of fear, to create something different, and to change the belief.

The article presents a case study involving Michael Tillery, doctor of dental surgery (DDS), who scheduled one of the author's 26 On-Site Trainings in his office. It mentions the average income of a dentist in a year. The author points out the most dentists literally comparing themselves to the average income. A chart is presented showing the growth in Tillery's income after the training.

Reveals the salary range of dentists in Australia. Average annual earnings; Comparison with earnings of general practitioners.

The article reports that dental surgeons from Government Dental Colleges (GDCs) and hospitals associated with Maharashtra, India will get non-practicing allowance (NPA) of 35 per cent, according to a decision taken by the state cabinet as of March 2014, to fulfill the demand of dental surgeons.

The article discusses the analysis on the net income of dentists, conducted by the Health Policy Resources Center of the American Dental Association (ADA), published in the "Journal of the American Dental Association," that found a sharp decline in recent years after a trend of steady growth. The analysis revealed that there were factors that contributed to the decline, including the steady decline in dental care use by the population.

The article presents answers to the question of how to reward an associate apart from increasing his commission.

The article presents information regarding continuing education (CE) pay. Several conditions are cited that make attendance at seminars, training programs, or workshops counted as hours worked. It states the rule regarding the treatment of travel time to and from a CE event as time worked, and the travel and CE expenses that must be paid by the employer. It clarifies the applicability of overtime hours as well as the difference capacity work rate.

The article explains the importance of selecting a retirement date. It discusses the scientific survey for retirement preparedness of dentists in partnership with the Academy of General Dentistry which showed that 62 is the average desired retirement age but few dentists are investing and saving according to their age-goal preferences. It notes the Three Retirement Leadership Variables including the date of retirement, retirement income desired and the needed annual savings.

The article offers news briefs related to social issues in Great Britain. According to figures released by the National Health Service (NHS) Information Centre, about 400 dentists have earned more than 300,000 pounds in 2007 and 2008. A strike was called off by immigration officers after the Public and Commercial Services union and the Borders Agency have reached a deal. Councils have proposed ways to improve their areas quality of life under the first round of the Sustainable Communities Act.

The article offers insights for dentists on the changes in the U.S. Pension Protection Act of 2006 (PPA 2006) and what these changes mean to their retirement planning. It notes that the Roth 401(k) feature under PPA 2006 is permanent. It cites that the new law allows cash balance plan to be added to a 401(k) arrangement. It states that the new act does not include up to 6 percent of compensation for 401(k) contributions.

The author reflects on the need for dentists to pay attention to practice numbers which, in his opinion, ensures an excellent outcome. He suggests that a general practice should aim to spend 20 percent of its production on team salaries, taxes and benefits. He argues that the laboratory percentage should range from 9 to 11 percent for a general practice. He advises to strive for a higher laboratory bill, a lower team percentage and a higher case of acceptance from fewer quality patients.