Fruits and vegetables can help prevent oral cancer

Oral healthcare professionals can play an important role in preventing oral cancer by educating patients about oral cancer prevention strategies, including eating lots of fruits and vegetables, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA, February 2011, Vol. 142:2, pp. 166-169). “Current evidence supports a recommendation of a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables as part of a whole-foods, plant-based diet with limited consumption

Study: TMJ disorders are ‘ill-defined’

A multidisciplinary system approach is needed to advance clinicians’ understanding of temporomandibular joint and muscle disorders (TMJDs), and a major paradigm shift needs to occur in the way TMJDs are viewed in the scientific and clinical communities, according to a new study in the Clinical Journal of Pain (March/April 2011, Vol. 27:3, pp. 268-274). “TMJDs are ill-defined, painful, debilitating disorders,” noted researchers from the Medical College of Wisconsin. For their

Astra Tech develops implant for sloped ridges

Astra Tech has introduced an anatomically designed implant for sloped ridges called OsseoSpeed TX Profile. This uniquely shaped implant eliminates the common compromise between marginal bone levels and aesthetics in sloped alveolar ridge situations, according to the company. The implant design meets a clinical need as it facilitates implant placement when there is a sloped ridge and optimizes implant position to maintain marginal bone support and aesthetics, the company explained.

Contest to honor pediatric dentists for charitable work

As part of its national Crusade Against Cavities campaign, Dr. Fresh Dental is launching a contest to honor pediatric dentists for their charitable work with kids, the company announced. Dentists from across the U.S. can be nominated by their patients, patients’ families, a staff member, or a peer. The contest runs through May 1, 2011. To nominate someone, visit www.fireflytoothbrush.com or www.drfreshdental.com and submit a 100-word statement on why this

ADA joins campaign for tobacco-free baseball

The ADA along with nine major medical and public health groups has launched a campaign urging Major League Baseball (MLB) and the MLB Players Association to ban tobacco use by players, managers, coaches, and other staff at Major League ballparks. The other groups involved in the Knock Tobacco Out of the Park campaign include the American Academy of Pediatrics, American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, American Lung Association, American Medical

AAE to celebrate Root Canal Awareness Week in March

During its fifth annual Root Canal Awareness Week, March 27 through April 2, the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) will reach out to the public to help dispel the notion that root canals are painful, as well as recognize the importance of endodontists and general dentists as partners in patient care. The AAE offers various clinical resources for use by endodontists and general practitioners. By using these tools during Root

Ark. lawmakers support water fluoridation

The Arkansas House has approved a bill that would provide fluoridated water to most Arkansas homes, according to a story on arkansasnews.com. By a 56-35 vote, the House today gave final passage to Senate Bill 359 by Sen. David Johnson (D-Little Rock). SB 359 would require cities in Arkansas with more than 5,000 residents to fluoridate their water systems. The proposed legislation is expected to be signed into law by

9 Ohio VA dental patients test positive for hepatitis

Of the 535 veterans potentially exposed to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV by a dentist at a Veterans Affairs (VA) medical center in Dayton, OH, seven have tested positive for hepatitis C and two for chronic hepatitis B, VA officials told HuangshanDental.com. So far none has tested positive for HIV, according to Todd Sledge, communications officer for the VA Healthcare System of Ohio. “Of those 535, 375 have been

NC program reduces kids’ dental caries

A preventive dental program targeting preschoolers younger than age 4 administered by physicians instead of dentists effectively reduces the need for tooth decay-related treatment among young children, a University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill study found (Pediatrics, February 28, 2011). The North Carolina program, Into the Mouths of Babes, trains physicians and nurses to screen and assess risks for dental caries and other problems, counsel parents about children’s

KaVo joins NCOHF as underwriting partner

The KaVo Group has become the newest National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s Toothfairy underwriting partner, according to the organization. “We are honored that KaVo has joined us in our mission to eliminate children’s needless suffering from America’s number one chronic childhood illness,” said Fern Ingber, NCOHF president and CEO. “Their philanthropy makes it possible for NCOHF to respond to the escalating number of children in critical need of

Tenn. Medicaid lawsuit may finally move forward

A federal judge has pledged a “speedy resolution” to a 13-year-old class-action lawsuit over whether Tennessee is providing adequate medical and dental care to 750,000 children enrolled in TennCare, the state’s Medicaid program, according to a story in the Tennessean. The lawsuit, originally filed in 1998, claimed that children weren’t getting access to regular medical and dental checkups or necessary medical care under TennCare. That same year, the state, the

More U.S. schools considering mobile dental programs

More and more preschools and K-12 schools in the U.S. are being asked to allow oral health services to be delivered onsite, according to an issue brief released February 28 by the Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD). The report, which gives an overview of the issues surrounding the use of mobile dental vans and portable dental equipment in schools, provides examples from communities and states, lists resources