An Australian woman has been sentenced to a year in jail for child cruelty after her daughter, who had not seen a dentist in more than three years, had 12 teeth extracted, according to an article in the Queensland Times. The 9-year-old had been given only cordial — an extremely sweet, fruit-flavored beverage — to drink. The girl’s toothbrush had also been kept in a hard-to-reach location, according to the
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced it intends to propose a rule next year to reduce mercury waste from dental offices. The rule, which would be finalized in 2012, will require that dental practitioners separate the mercury from all dental amalgam waste in their practices. The details of how dentists will have to do this “remains to be seen” and are still in the works, Jalil Isa, a
Australian researchers have a created a screening tool to help clinicians determine whether individuals will be satisfied with their elective cosmetic dentistry surgery procedures (Annals of Plastic Surgery, August 25, 2010). The nine-item questionnaire probes prospective patients’ physical and mental health, as well as whether they have a positive self-image and have been dissatisfied with previous aesthetic surgery or aesthetic dentistry procedures. Scores on this screener identify individuals who are
The IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council and the National Association for Dental Laboratories (NADL) have committed to a five-year support program for the Foundation for Dental Technology. Between 2010 and 2014, the council will contribute a total of $50,000 to the foundation’s work, the organizations announced. The purpose of the foundation is to advance the profession of dental laboratory technology by developing educational curriculum and programs that will be relevant and accessible to
Demand for clear aligner products and services is on the rise at a time when many cosmetic procedures — dental and otherwise — are experiencing a decline. And this is good news for general dentists previously unable to offer orthodontic-related procedures — and the vendors eager to supply them with these products. Align Technology has long dominated this space with its Invisalign products. Other competitors include Ormco, ClearCorrect and, more
Stressful events in a patient’s life — such as serious illness or a death in the family — may play a key role in explaining amalgam-related complaints, according to a study by researchers from Umeå University, University of Tromsö, and Stockholm University (Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, August 23, 2010). The researchers selected participants from a longitudinal population-based study. They performed one-to-one matching of 337 participants with amalgam-related complaints to
The U.S. FDA has issued a safety alert to dental practitioners and dental handpiece manufacturers following new reports of patients being burned by handpieces that overheat during treatment. The agency first informed dental professionals of this problem in 2007. In that notice, the FDA reminded users of the importance of properly maintaining the handpieces. Since that notice, however, the FDA said it has received numerous additional reports of patients being
A Kentucky law that took effect this year requiring dental screening of all children during their first year of school is already having a positive effect, according to a story by the Courier-Journal. Passed in 2008, the law requires a dental examination for admittance to a public school, public preschool, or Head Start program beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Children must present proof that they have had a dental
A comparative wear study conducted in Germany found that BruxZir solid zirconia (Glidewell Laboratories) compared favorably to Ceramco3 (Dentsply) after more than 1 million wear cycles on a chewing simulator, Glidewell announced. The study, carried out by dental materials and technology expert Jürgen Geis-Gerstorfer, Ph.D., was conducted at the University of Tübingen, Germany, where he is a professor in the department of prosthodontics. Geis-Gerstorfer used the Willytech chewing simulator to examine
A West Virginia dentist is helping survivors of domestic violence with a unique teeth-whitening deal for patients who want to help, too, according to a story in the State Journal. Kenneth Banks, D.D.S., whose practice is based in the Eastern Panhandle, is taking part in Give Back a Smile, a charitable program that provides cosmetic dental care to those whose teeth have been damaged or lost due to domestic violence.
Despite the increasing popularity of dental implants, every effort should be made to save a patient’s natural teeth, according to the principals of PerioHealth Professionals, a dental practice in Houston. They stress the importance of carefully evaluating all of a patient’s treatment options, especially when it comes to considering surgical procedures such as tooth extraction and dental implant placement. “There is a widespread misconception among the general public that extraction
Figures released this week by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) indicate that three out of five U.K. dentists are performing at least 50% fewer extensive smile makeovers than they were in 2008, according to a story by Professional Beauty. However, 90% of dentists surveyed saw a 50% increase in less invasive techniques, and 100% agreed that more patients are now choosing procedures that allow them to preserve their