Though there have been significant improvements in the treatment of head and neck cancer, there is still a lack of data on the experience of end-of-life care for head and neck cancer patients, according to a new study published in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (May 2011, Vol. 144:5, pp. 733-739). As discussed in this study, a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs group has developed the Family Assessment of
Is there a “sweet spot” for the right amount of magnification when examining a patient? How does the naked eye versus the use of loupes affect a dentist’s judgment? A study presented during a poster session at the 2011 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) conference in San Diego sought to learn more about the relationship between magnification and treatment decision-making when evaluating caries lesions. Previously, there was little concrete
Q: What’s your view of oral cancer screening products? HiRes Rydon loupes by Orascoptic. HiRes Rydon loupes by Orascoptic. A: I am a fan of anything that will help dentists diagnose dysplasia and oral cancer. One hundred new oral cancer cases are diagnosed per day in the U.S. Worldwide, the numbers are even worse. When found in the early stages, the survival rate is 80% to 90%. Unfortunately, when the
The Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield, MO, has a unique program that provides free dental care for cancer patients who need x-rays or extractions before they can begin treatment for their head and neck cancer. The Hulston Cancer Center in Springfield, MO, provides free dental care for cancer patients who need x-rays or extractions before they can begin treatment. Image courtesy of the Hulston Cancer Center. The Hulston Cancer Center
The National Institutes of Health has awarded a $1.4 million, four-year grant to Rita Jablonski, PhD, an assistant professor of nursing at Pennsylvania State University to test a technique that can help improve the oral health of dementia patients. Persons with dementia resist care when they feel threatened, according to Jablonski. In general, these patients cannot care for themselves and need help. Jablonski and her team introduced an oral hygiene
Linda Maciel, RDH, from Hudson, NH, has been selected as the fourth recipient of the Crest Oral-B Pros in the Profession award program. Throughout her 11 years of practice, Maciel has established a screening protocol to detect early signs of oral cancer and has developed a passion for educating members of her community about the many factors that affect oral hygiene, the company said. She has caught basal cell carcinoma,
Chlorhexidine varnish (CHX-V) may provide a beneficial effect against root caries for patients in need of special care, according to a new study (Caries Research, April 2011, Vol. 45:2, pp. 162-173). The aim of this review was to determine whether CHX-V is an appropriate intervention to prevent or treat root caries in patients with recessions. A team of researchers from the Netherlands searched PubMed, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled
The root cause of local anesthetic-related neurosensory disturbances (NSDs) in dentistry has been unclear. But now a group of Danish researchers say it is neurotoxicity related to high-concentration formulations of anesthetics — particularly articaine — not needle penetration (Journal of the American Dental Association, May 2011, Vol. 142:5, pp. 531-540). Lead study author Søren Hillerup, DDS, PhD, DrOdont, a professor of maxillofacial surgery at the University of Copenhagen School of
Pregnant women who take potent topical corticosteroids just before and during pregnancy risk fetal growth restriction in their infants, but there is no risk of fetal orofacial clefts with any form of corticosteroid taken by pregnant women, a pair of studies has found. One team investigated the outcomes of infants delivered to 35,503 pregnant women prescribed topical corticosteroids shortly before and during pregnancy and to another 48,630 unexposed women in
OraMetrix, a provider of 3D technologies for orthodontics, has selected the Camstar Enterprise Platform to help support its planned expansion in North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. OraMetrix’s SureSmile system allows the use of precision digital tools throughout all phases of the orthodontic treatment process: diagnosis, treatment planning and monitoring, and archwire customization. By implementing the Camstar software system into its production processes, OraMetrix will be able to monitor production
A top U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) official has acknowledged the “failure of leadership” that took place at the Dayton VA Medical Center’s dental clinic in Ohio, where a dentist’s lack of adherence to basic infection-control practices put hundreds of veterans at risk for nearly 20 years, the Daytona Daily News has reported. Testifying before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Veterans’ Affairs on May 3, Robert Petzel,
New research published in the American Journal of Health Promotion shows that population-based approaches to smoking cessation — including mass media campaigns and smoking quit lines — can positively impact quitting behaviors among racial/ethnic minority and low socioeconomic status (SES) smokers, with varying effects across these groups (May/June 2011, Vol. 25:sp5, pp. S1-S4). As part of a special issue entitled “Tobacco Control Among Diverse Populations,” the journal published 15 papers