A-dec donates equipment to NCOHF

A-dec has donated dental office equipment to National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) to facilitate enhanced comprehensive dental programs for children from vulnerable populations. United Methodist Mexican American Ministries (UMMAM), a member of the NCOHF affiliate network, received new operatory equipment for its dental clinic that will aid in providing vital oral health services for underserved pediatric patients in Southwest Kansas. UMMAM is one of 14 community healthcare facilities in

Study identifies possible cause of ONJ

Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) could be caused by an interaction between nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates and compromised vitamin D function, according to a new animal study (Journal of Bone and Mineral Research, June 2010, Vol. 25:6, pp. 1337-1349). Researchers from the University of California, Los Angeles generated ONJ lesions in rats resembling human disease under the confluence of intravenous injection of zoledronate, maxillary molar extraction, and vitamin D deficiency. The prevalence

Study:1 in 4 Calif. kids have never seen a dentist

Nearly 25% of California children have never seen a dentist and disparities exist across race, ethnicity, and type of insurance when it comes to the duration between dental care visits, according to a new study (Health Affairs, July 2010, Vol. 29:7, pp. 1356-1363). The study examines barriers to dental care among California children age 11 and younger, using data from the 2005 California Health Interview Survey. Researchers from the University

Chlorhexidine OK on fiber-reinforced post adhesion

Chlorhexidine does not negatively affect the immediate bond strength of most cements used on fiber-reinforced posts, according to a study conducted at the University of Helsinki and published in the Journal of Dentistry (July 2, 2010). Chlorhexidine is used as final irrigant before endodontic obturation, and fiber-reinforced composite posts are recommended for restoration retention, the study researchers noted. “Our aim was to evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine on adhesion of

Keystone to offer eco-friendly hygiene products

Keystone Research and Pharmaceuticals, parent company of Keystone Dental, has signed a marketing and distribution pact with BioNeutral Group for use of BioNeutral’s proprietary hygiene formulations in the dental, veterinary, and cosmetic markets. The terms of the agreement were not disclosed. BioNeutral will use Keystone as its exclusive manufacturer, and Keystone will provide free rent at its plant in Germany for one year. In addition, Keystone will give BioNeutral access

Wrigley reaches settlement in Eclipse lawsuit

A settlement has been reached in a class-action lawsuit filed in 2009 against the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, maker of Eclipse chewing gum and mints. The lawsuit had alleged misleading advertising about the germ-killing properties of Wrigley’s Eclipse products. “Wrigley has agreed to a settlement of this lawsuit to prevent further distraction to its business and denies any wrongdoing,” said Paul Chibe, Wrigley vice president and general manager of U.S.

Dentist sues Nobel Biocare over implants

A California dentist is suing Nobel Biocare on behalf of dentists whose patients have allegedly suffered complications from the company’s NobelDirect implants, according to a story by Reuters. The lawsuit, which was filed June 30 by Jason Yamada, D.D.S., M.S., of Torrance, CA, in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, seeks compensation for dentists who have had to perform surgery on their patients, or pay for

Survey finds poor oral care in Beijing

Fewer than half of middle-aged residents in Beijing clean their teeth even twice a week, and no more than 1% use dental floss, according to a story in the China Daily. The data came from a survey conducted by Beijing Stomatological Hospital, according to the report. More than 60% of respondents have dental caries, about 80% suffer bleeding gums, and nearly all have tartar, according to the survey. “People do

Celebrity dentist earns world record

Celebrity cosmetic dentist Bill Dorfman, D.D.S., has been recognized by Guinness World Records for “Most money raised for a charity through head shaving by an individual.” Dr. Dorfman is co-founder of the LEAP Foundation, a nonprofit organization that helps high school and college students gain life skills through a summer mentorship program. In an effort to raise awareness and aid the students in the program, Dr. Dorfman announced that he

Whiplash victims can inaccurately recall TMJ onset

A patient’s temporomandibular joint (TMJ) status should be established after experiencing whiplash trauma to achieve valid, long-term evaluations in clinical research, according to a new study (Journal of the American Dental Association, July 2010, Vol. 141:7, pp. 879-886). Researchers have conducted studies regarding whiplash-induced TMJ pain and dysfunction, mainly under the presumption that patients’ memory of symptoms remains accurate across time, the authors noted. In this study, researchers from Umea

Paresthesia more common after 4% local anesthetic

Paresthesia occurs more often after use of 4% local anesthetic formulations, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (July 2010, Vol. 141:7, pp. 836-844). Researchers from the University of Toronto wanted to determine if the type of local anesthetic administered had any effect on reports of paresthesia in dentistry in the U.S. They obtained reports of paresthesia involving dental local anesthetics from November 1997 through

Lengthy bleaching may reduce dentin fracture toughness

Enamel has long been the primary concern when it comes to bleaching-related damage. But could the problem go deeper than that? A new study in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry (June 2010, Vol. 22:3, pp. 179-184) has found that long stretches of bleaching may harm dentin. The in vitro study found that the length of bleach application time to dentin using 10% carbamide peroxide was inversely correlated with