Critics blast proposed Colorado sedation rules

Faced with ardent opposition, the Colorado State Board of Dental Examiners (CSBDE) has delayed imposing new sedation rules that would have required 60 hours of training for dentists practicing “minimal sedation.” In other respects, the new standards would have brought Colorado more in line with the guidelines of national organizations such as the ADA. But they would have exceeded the ADA’s recommendation of 16 hours of training for minimal sedation.

AGD panel to discuss perio, heart disease link

The connection between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease will be the topic of a panel discussion on the growing need for dentists and physicians to collaborate at this week’s Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) annual meeting. Marvin Slepian, M.D., and Neil Gottehrer, D.D.S., will lead an “Oral/Body Inflammation Connection” discussion during the meeting in Baltimore. “It is critical for all dentists and physicians to collaborate in helping patients reduce inflammation,

Ivoclar Vivadent launches new bond and composite products

Ivoclar Vivadent has introduced two new bond and composite products. Monobond Plus is a universal single-component primer for all indirect restorative materials. The combination of three different functional groups — silane methacrylate, phosphoric methacrylate, and sulfide methacrylate — ensures that a strong and durable bond to any dental restorative material will be established, according to the company. As a result, with Monobond Plus, dentists only need one primer for all

Diets bad for teeth are also bad for the body

Dental pain may be a warning that the high-glycemic diet that can cause dental problems in the short term may, in the long term, lead to potentially serious chronic diseases, according to researchers from the University of Washington School of Dentistry. Philippe Hujoel, D.D.S., Ph.D., M.S.D., M.S., a professor of dental public health sciences, reviewed the relationships among diet, dental disease, and chronic systemic illness in a report published July

Flapless implant surgery an effective option

Flapless implant surgery may appeal to dentists who would like to add implants to their practice but hesitate because of the surgical complexity involved. Research has shown that results with this approach can be as good as or better than conventional implants. “With a little common sense and awareness of anatomy, it’s a very safe procedure,” William Becker, D.D.S., M.S.D., an associate professor of periodontology at the University of Southern

Links found between obesity and oral bacteria

A scientific team from the Forsyth Institute says it has discovered new links between certain oral bacteria and obesity. In a recent study, the researchers demonstrated that the salivary bacterial composition of overweight women differs from that of nonoverweight women (Journal of Dental Research, July 8, 2009). This preliminary work may provide clues to interactions between oral bacteria and the pathology of obesity, and may help investigators learn new avenues

Louisiana mobile dentistry bill signed into law

Without fanfare, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has signed into law a bill calling on the state board of dentistry to regulate mobile dentistry. Gov. Jindal issued no statement on a bill that became one of the most hotly contested of the state’s legislative session. As originally sponsored by the Louisiana Dental Association, the bill would have banned nearly all dentistry in schools. After multiple amendments, the bill morphed into a

GlaxoSmithKline studies focus on proper denture care

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare has released several new studies addressing the importance of proper denture care. Originally presented at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in Miami earlier this year, the studies tested several GSK denture care products and addressed issues such as minimizing fungal and bacterial attachment and activity on dentures, reducing food-related denture stains, and enhancing a proper denture fit to increase patient satisfaction. When taken

Survey: Prescription meds cause most dry mouth complaints

More than 90% of dentists say patients complaining about dry mouth are taking multiple medications, according to a U.S. member survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Of the nearly 500 general dentists who responded, 89% believe prescription medications are the primary contributor to dry mouth. Aging, dehydration, and salivary gland disease were also cited as major contributors. The survey of AGD members also revealed the following: Approximately

Geomagic names new general manager of dental business

Robert Kody, previously general manager of the digital orthodontics business at 3M Unitek, has joined Geomagic as general manager of the company’s dental business. Kody is responsible for managing every aspect of Geomagic’s dental operations, according to the company. Geomagic’s dental business supports chair- and lab-side dental CAD/CAM solutions. Kody holds a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, a doctorate in polymer science and

D4D, Henry Schein launch E4D Takeout Program

D4D Technologies and Henry Schein Dental have introduced a new initiative, dubbed the E4D Takeout Program, designed to offer dental professionals an exclusive experience with the E4D Dentist System. Participants are encouraged to bring one of their own models to a one-on-one consultation with a Henry Schein CAD/CAM specialist. At the appointment — either at a trade show, a local Henry Schein Center, or at the Henry Schein Center for

Lexi-Comp updates drug handbook for dentistry

Lexi-Comp has released the 15th edition of its Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry. The book includes dental-specific content on thousands of drugs, natural products, and dietary supplements. The latest edition features 40 new drug monographs and a new drug monograph field, Effects on Bleeding, according to the company. Other notable enhancements include a section on the dentist’s role in recognizing domestic violence, abuse, and neglect; new dentifrice appendix tables; and