Dr. Fresh’s FireFly children’s toothbrush and its licensed counterparts — Barbie, Spider-Man, Hot Wheels, Hello Kitty, and Peanuts toothbrushes — have been awarded the ADA Seal of Acceptance, the company announced. The ADA Council on Scientific Affairs said its acceptance of FireFly is based on its finding that the product is effective for removing plaque and helping to prevent and reduce gingivitis when used as directed. FireFly and its licensed
Tennessee’s attorney general (AG) is offering guidance to consumers in the state who have been impacted by the sudden closure of Allcare Dental & Dentures. Allcare operated dental practices at three locations in Tennessee, along with facilities in several other states. Efforts are under way to coordinate with other state attorneys general to address complaints from patients outside Tennessee. “We are always concerned when a business closes abruptly, especially in
Dentists need to rely on their experience and clinical judgment to correctly use cone-beam CT (CBCT) for pre- and postimplant assessment, according to a review in the current Dental Clinics of North America (January 2011, Vol. 55:1, pp. 141-158). Various imaging modalities are available for implant assessment, including intraoral radiography, panoramic radiography, CT, and cone-beam CT, noted lead author Christos Angelopoulos, DDS, MS, director of the division of oral and
3M ESPE has added Argen, a manufacturer of CAD/CAM designed metal copings, to its Lava network, the company announced. This partnership gives labs with the 3M ESPE Lava Scan ST design system the ability to export files for metal laser melted substructures. The move is part of 3M ESPE’s effort to improve lab productivity and will allow owners of the Lava Scan ST scanner to reduce expenses incurred during the
The two-day CAMBRA (caries management by risk assessment) conference held in San Francisco last week sought to address some of the biggest challenges facing the movement, including patient education, practitioner adoption, insurance codes and payments, and policymaker support. The conference was sponsored by the California Dental Association Foundation. “It’s hard to convince the public to pay for prevention when they’re used to paying for procedures,” said Margherita Fontana, DDS, PhD,
A-dec has made a generous equipment donation to three oral health programs in the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) affiliate network to support comprehensive care for children from vulnerable populations. The University of Florida College of Dentistry, University of Indiana School of Dentistry, and Arizona Public Health Association received new operatory equipment for their dental clinics, which offer local pediatric oral health services. “A-dec has been a steadfast partner
In his first TV interview since undergoing treatment for stage IV oropharyngeal cancer, actor Michael Douglas said his tumor is gone and that he may have beaten the cancer. In a taped interview with NBC’s Matt Lauer that aired January 11, Douglas said he felt relieved after a “wild, six-month ride” and that the odds are that he has beaten the disease. The 66-year-old actor lost 32 pounds following chemotherapy
The Georgia Board of Dentistry has decided not to adopt a controversial proposal that would have changed the level of supervision of hygienists who provide basic preventive dental services in schools, community health centers, and prisons. The board voted to send the proposed rule back for further discussion during its January 7 meeting after hearing extensive testimony opposing the change from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the department of community
There are predators in the bacterial world that consume other bacteria, much as predators attack prey in the animal world. A team led by researchers at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey-New Jersey Dental School suggests that some predator microbes — bacteria that consumer other bacteria — might work against disease-causing bacteria that have become resistant to antibiotics (Journal of Applied Microbiology, February 2011, Vol. 110:2, pp.
A team of U.K. researchers has developed a device that cancels out the noise of a dental handpiece during use, potentially easing people’s anxiety about trips to the dentist. The prototype device works in a similar way to noise-canceling headphones but is designed to deal with the very high pitch of the dental drill, according to researchers at King’s College London; Brunel University in Uxbridge, West London; and London South
A new robotic surgical procedure offers patients with oral and head and neck cancers a less invasive treatment option that preserves speech and the ability to eat, while possibly helping them avoid radiation and chemotherapy. Conventional treatment for these cancers usually requires a surgeon to make large incisions in the lip, jaw, and throat, which can drastically impede the ability to swallow. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy also are traditionally involved,
Dental gold producer Argen has acquired the worldwide exclusive manufacturing and distribution rights for all Captek products and technologies, the company announced. “We believe that Argen’s vast global presence and unparalleled distribution network, combined with Captek’s strong brand recognition and customer-focused vision, will further strengthen Argen’s position in the marketplace and ensure growth of the Captek technology,” said Argen CEO Anton Woolf. Captek’s products are known for aesthetics, strength, and