CariFree launches xylitol lollipops for kids

CariFree has developed Xyli-Tots Lollies, caries-fighting, sugar-free lollipops for kids that come in five flavors: cherry chuckles, citrus smile, grape giggles, lime laughs, and raspberry riddles. The “secret ingredient” in the sugar-free lollipops is xylitol, a naturally occurring sugar substitute that targets cavity-causing bacteria and decreases acidity. The resulting neutralization and decrease of the harmful bacteria that cause the caries infection reduces the risk for cavities, according to the company.

Temporary law gives Israeli kids free dental care

Recent legislation passed in Israel will ensure free dental care for children up to age 8 beginning July 1, according to a news story on JTA.org. Last month the Israeli Cabinet approved $47 million for the plan, but the Israeli Supreme Court revoked the decision. This new measure will serve as emergency legislation for six months, giving the government time to pass new legislation that will be acceptable to the

Patients, volunteers contract hepatitis at free dental clinic

Three patients and two volunteers participating in a free dental clinic in West Virginia last summer contracted acute hepatitis B afterward, and health officials are now advising nearly 2,000 people who received treatment or volunteered during the clinic to be tested for the virus. In June 2009, the United Way of the Eastern Panhandle and Healthy Smiles West Virginia provided free medical screenings and dental services to more than 1,100

Zinc-free denture adhesive uses aloe, myrrh

Secure has introduced a new denture adhesive that contains aloe and myrrh to combat the problems of gum irritation often caused by ill-fitting dentures. Secure Sensitive denture cream is a patented, waterproof, zinc-free adhesive that eliminates slip and slide, preventing dentures from rubbing against the gum, according to the company. It creates a lasting hold up to 12 hours and, because it doesn’t dissolve in water, particles from the adhesive

HPV status improves oropharyngeal cancer survival

The presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in tumors is the most important predictor of survival for people diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, according to a new study in the New England Journal of Medicine (June 7, 2010) and reported this week at the American Society of Clinical Oncology annual meeting in Chicago. It is the first study large enough to show that the presence of HPV in tumors accounts for better

Dental visit interventions can help smokers quit

University of Arizona researchers have proved the effectiveness of quit-tobacco interventions in public dental care settings serving low-income patients, according to a study published online May 13 in the American Journal of Public Health. People who received an intervention — advice and assistance, including nicotine patches or lozenges — were two to three times more likely to have quit smoking 7.5 months afterward than participants who received the usual care,

Tongue measurements aid oral appliance sleep apnea therapy

The ratio between tongue volume and bony enclosure size in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) may help dentists calculate oral appliance treatment success, according to research presented at the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine annual meeting in San Antonio. Although mandibular advancement splints (MAS) have been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for OSA, predicting efficacy in individual patients is problematic. The researchers assessed whether anatomical

FDA clears ReDent’s irrigation device

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) marketing clearance for the Vatea endodontic irrigation device by ReDent Nova to accompany its self-adjusting file (SAF). The device already has European Union CE Mark certification, according to Globes Online, adding that ReDent has also obtained the CE Mark for the head assembly of the SAF motor. Copyright © 2010 HuangshanDental.com

Botox can improve cleft lip reconstruction results

Use of Botox during cleft lip reconstruction surgery produces better aesthetic outcomes, according to a study to be presented at the upcoming International Association for Dental Research meeting in Barcelona, Spain. Researchers from Nova Southeastern University collected pictures of five patients who had Botox placed at the time of the surgical cleft lip repair and pictures of five patients who did not from a plastic surgeon’s private practice. Then they

Canadian group mulls class-action Fosamax lawsuit

A Canadian consumer group is considering filing a class-action complaint against Merck Frosst for failing to disclose side effects connected with the bisphosphonate drug Fosamax, according to an article in the Montreal Gazette. Bisphosphonate treatment for osteoporosis has been associated with a risk of developing bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BONJ). Option-Consommateurs originally filed a class-action demand in 2007. Since then, “several disturbing studies have come to light,” Jacinthe Lauzon,

Sleep-disordered breathing common in pediatric patients

Sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBDs) are very difficult to detect in pediatric groups, according to research presented June 5 at the American Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine annual meeting in San Antonio. A study conducted at the University of North Carolina found that 18% of pediatric patients were at risk for SRBDs, and that pediatric risk was not associated with any demographic or craniofacial characteristics, as it is in adults, making

Forsyth Institute contributes to microbiome project

Scientists from the Forsyth Institute have provided more oral bacteria to the Human Microbiome Project than any other organization, according to the institute. The project seeks to identify and sequence the thousands of species of bacteria inhabiting human body surfaces and determine the role of microbiota in human health and disease. Genome sequences of the oral bacteria are being determined in collaboration with the four project sequencing centers. These sequences