Stock Markets, Swimsuits & Underwire

Are aligners a threat to orthodontists? In this episode of Added Value, Anna Dijkman and Marijn Jongsma explore whether the rise of aligners—clear, removable braces—has consequences for orthodontic practices. These braces are rapidly gaining popularity due to their subtle appearance and relatively simple placement process. Unlike traditional braces, aligners are typically placed by a dentist, not an orthodontist. How does this impact the profession?

Economic forecasts: a paper battle. This week's "in the mail" column brought a flood of half-year economic forecasts. How is the global economy doing? Marijn delved into no fewer than seventeen reports, while Anna enlisted the help of ChatGPT. Together, they try to understand why the stock market is reacting so passively, while so much is happening globally.

And this week's question is about: vacation. What does tourism actually bring to the Netherlands? And perhaps even more interesting: what benefit does a company get from employees taking vacation? Incidentally, the summer months prove risky for marriage. Most divorces occur in September every year.