The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded $95 million to 278 school-based health center programs across the U.S. to help the clinics expand and provide more healthcare services — including dental — at schools nationwide. The Affordable Care Act appropriated a total of $200 million for 2010 through 2013 for the School-Based Health Center Capital Program to address capital needs in school-based health centers. This round
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued three new patents to Biolase Technology related to the company’s proprietary Er,Cr:YSGG and Er:YAG hard-tissue laser technology. With these additions, Biolase now has 148 diversified patents issued worldwide and a total of 287 patents and patents pending, the company noted. New patent No. 7,970,027, Electromagnetic Energy Distributions for Electromagnetically Induced Mechanical Cutting, continues and expands upon patent No. 7,817,687 with broad claims
Many in the dental industry are concerned about the use of phthalates. In Europe, phthalates have come under the scrutiny of the European Community’s Regulation on Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) regulations; in other parts of the world, use of these plasticizers will likely become greatly constrained, if not completely banned, according to Esschem, a provider of dental acrylics, monomers, polymers, and related materials. In response, Esschem
Q: I have some patients that need a crown but cannot quite afford one at this time. Do you have any recommendations for long-term provisional restorations? A: This has always been a dental conundrum. The patient wants to save the tooth, yet we have no less expensive way to accomplish the treatment. We may have wanted to help the patient by reducing fees, but at the same time we are
CEL-SCI has expanded its licensing agreement with Teva Pharmaceutical Industries for its cancer drug Multikine, CEL-SCI’s investigational phase III drug for the treatment of head and neck cancer. Under the terms of the new agreement, Teva’s exclusive license to market and distribute Multikine in Israel and Turkey will be extended to include Croatia and Serbia. Teva, which is currently funding a part of the global phase III clinical study at
Heraeus Kulzer has introduced Gluma Desensitizer PowerGel, designed to promote patient comfort during prophies, especially for those who’ve experienced sensitivity due to receding gums. The PowerGel formulation allows for accurate control during placement and is suited for the cervical erosions, exposed dentin surfaces, and gingival recession hygienists may encounter during a prophy visit, according to Heraeus. The Gluma Desensitizer PowerGel helps hygienists keep patients comfortable during prophy visits, and helps
Patients visiting hospital emergency departments (EDs) in the U.S. because of periodontal conditions were charged about $33.3 million by the hospitals for treating these conditions on an emergency basis in 2006, according to a new study (Journal of Periodontology [JOP], June 2011, Vol. 82:6, pp. 809-819). Patients with medical conditions and those who ignore regular dental care have a higher chance of visiting emergency departments, the study authors noted. However,
Most American children don’t wear mouthguards while playing sports that pose a risk of injury to the mouth, contrary to recommendations made by dental professionals. That’s one of the key findings from the 2011 Delta Dental Children’s Oral Health Survey, conducted by Morpace on behalf of Delta Dental Plans Association. Morpace conducted email interviews nationally with 907 primary caregivers of children from birth to age 11. (For results based on
Many of us spend more time contemplating the dessert menu at restaurants than choosing our medical gloves for critical barrier protection. That’s understandable considering the overwhelming number of options available. One purchasing guide I reviewed listed 22 different types in their glove line, ranging in price from $6.95 to $13.50 a box. Warning: The short-term savings are not worth the long-term harm of an improper fit. The wrong gloves lead
Three Wisconsin cities were recognized at this year’s National Oral Health Conference for helping prevent tooth decay among residents through local water fluoridation. The cities of New Richmond and Whitewater were commended for 50 years of continuous public water fluoridation. Amery received a Community Water Fluoridation Reaffirmation Award. The annual awards are sponsored by the ADA, Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors, and the Centers for Disease Control and
A U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) judge has ruled that the North Carolina dental board’s efforts to block nondentists from providing teeth-whitening services constitute an illegal anticompetitive conspiracy. The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners’ actions violated the law, according to a decision by Chief Administrative Law Judge D. Michael Chappell, who concluded it was “unreasonable restraint of trade and an unfair method of competition.” The dental board lacks
Glidewell Laboratories has opened its Glidewell International Technology Center, a 2,800-sq-ft training, education, and technology demonstration center located on the Glidewell Laboratories campus in Irvine, CA. The center houses a fully functional operatory and surgical suite equipped with state-of-the-art dental equipment and technology, including a cone-beam CT scanner, and will offer live video demonstrations to a 40-seat interactive classroom auditorium. Experienced clinicians and technicians will provide professional development and continuing