Dentists are placing fewer restorations and, as a consequence, they may need more patients to stay busy, according to a study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (April 2010, Vol. 141:4, pp. 391-399). University of Michigan Professor Emeritus Stephen Eklund, D.D.S., M.H.S.A., Dr.P.H., studied the records of Delta Dental for Michigan to see what types of procedures were performed in 1992, 1997, 2002, and 2007. The data
The Association of State and Territorial Dental Directors (ASTDD) has issued new guidelines for school-based programs and preventing early childhood caries. The two best-practice reports describe public health strategies based on “research, expert opinion, field lessons, and theoretical rationale.” “Improving Children’s Oral Health Through Coordinated School Health Programs” describes guidelines by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for school-based health programs in general, then explains how oral health can
Leaders of four dental professional groups on March 31 asked an Institute of Medicine (IOM) committee to give their members a higher profile in government healthcare programs. It was the second time in a month that these groups traveled to Washington, DC, in an effort to make oral healthcare a higher priority for the agency. “The ADA believes that before HHS [Department of Health and Human Services] can take any
Colgate-Palmolive’s Plax mouthwash was found to be equally as effective as chlorhexidine in reducing bacteria in oral spatter generated during ultrasonic scaling, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (April 2010, Vol. 141:4, pp. 415-422). Researchers from Guarulhos University and Colgate-Palmolive — which provided financial support for the study — evaluated the efficacy of Plax, which has 0.05% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC), in reducing the
Sterilization and infection control device manufacturer Tuttnauer has introduced the Elara 11 pre- and postvacuum autoclave, the company announced. The Elara 11 autoclave. Image courtesy of Tuttnauer. A vacuum class B autoclave, Elara 11 is designed for sterilizing medical and dental surgical goods, including wrapped, unwrapped, solid, hollow, and porous products, and hollow loads such as dental handpieces and suction pipes. It features a 7.5-gallon chamber, five stainless steel trays
What if there were a treatment what would arrest caries and prevent further dental infection without traditional drilling and filling? There is: silver diamine fluoride (SDF). “Why drill when the infection is gone?” asks Dr. Steven Duffin, D.D.S., who frequently uses silver diamine fluoride on an off-label basis in his general practice in Oregon. He calls it the “most effective agent” he’s seen in 30 years to arrest caries. In
Midmark has launched its latest dental sterilizer promotion, “The Sterilizers. Family. Redefined.” The promotion features rebates up to $1,000 on certain product purchases, and begins April 1 and runs through June 30. Dentists and dental facilities that purchase an eligible sterilizer or combination of sterilizers during the promotional period will receive rebates ranging from $400 up to $1,000, plus a chance to win an additional $500 rebate for donating an
Dentists have sometimes been accused of torturing their patients, but in the case of a California prisoner, it was the failure to provide dental care that resulted in a torture claim. Richard I. Fine, a disbarred attorney, has been held in the Los Angeles County jail for over a year after refusing to disclose information about his assets in a dispute over attorney fees, according to a report by Sacramento
Dental professionals can now try out KaVo handpieces free without obligation, the company has announced. Participants can visit www.trykavo.com, order the handpiece they want to try, and keep the equipment for up to five days, then send it back. KaVo will pay for the shipping both ways. After trying out one handpiece, participants can try out another, also for free. Copyright © 2010 HuangshanDental.com
The extent of prolonged thumb sucking — that is, beyond infancy — is unknown, but the practice is surely ubiquitous in the U.S. Considering the attempts by parents and dentists to curtail thumb sucking, one would think convincing studies would be available on the long-term effects on dentition and the success of inhibition, as well as its psychological consequences. But few studies extend beyond age 5, and they are limited
Smile for a Lifetime has signed an exclusive agreement with Ormco to help deliver pro bono orthodontic treatment services to underprivileged children throughout the U.S. Ormco, a manufacturer of orthodontic appliances and supplies, will provide products free of charge to orthodontists affiliated with Smile for a Lifetime to treat underserved children. “I’m thrilled to have such a well-respected company like Ormco understand the importance of giving,” said David B. Carter,
Esstech has revamped its Web site to offer more dental-specific news and information about its products and research. The new site features a news/blog section designed to present pertinent information about the research behind common dental materials. This section includes white papers written by Esstech engineers — for example, “Refractive Index of Monomers and Their Respective Polymers” — and also independent research from academic institutions. Users will be able to
