National Children’s Oral Health Foundation launches new Web site

The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) has launched a new Web site that features photos and elements that help users understand the mission of the foundation, the organization announced. The site offers visitors an opportunity to explore the foundation’s programs and elements, according to NCOHF. The organization’s underwriters and corporate sponsors are included in the new site design, as are such features as Tomorrow’s Smiles, ATF Dental Home, and

AGD addresses concerns about Invisalign proficiency requirements

In response to member inquiries regarding Align Technology’s new proficiency requirements for Invisalign, the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) is investigating measures to address concerns about the impact of these requirements on general dentists, the organization announced. The AGD thinks the new requirements have two aspects the general dentistry community should note: the requirement for completion of at least 10 Invisalign-specific continuing education credits, and the requirement for the start

Study: Cone-beam CT finds root canals

Effective root canal therapy depends on cleaning out all the infected canals. But these canals can be hard to find, let alone negotiate. Often the only choice is to cut away tooth structure in search of lumens narrower than a human hair. So a new report that cone-beam CT is highly successful in finding root canals could prove important. “An attempt to locate them can result in increased chair time

Procter & Gamble donates to kids’ foundation

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has donated toothpaste sachets, disclosing tablets, toothbrushing charts, stickers, and educational DVDs and tapes to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF). P&G made the donation to the foundation for distribution to 30 of the 60 nonprofit public health dental facilities that are affiliates of NCOHF. The donated materials are for use by pediatric dentists and hygienists. “Crest and Oral B are dedicated to improving children’s

ADHA, Johnson & Johnson honor ‘Hygienist Heroes’

The American Dental Hygienists’ Association and Johnson & Johnson Healthcare Products Division announced this year’s recipients of the Hygienists Hero Recognition Program, which honors dental hygienists’ outstanding commitment to promoting oral hygiene in their local communities. The honorees were recognized at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association Annual Session this week in Washington, DC. To be considered for the program, dental hygienists submitted essays that described their inspirational, self-funded activities that

Researchers study link between gum disease and memory loss

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded a $1.3 million grant to a group of researchers who have found a link between gum disease and memory loss. The research team includes Richard Crout, D.M.D., Ph.D., an expert on gum disease and the associate dean for research at West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry; gerontologist Bei Wu, Ph.D., a researcher at the University of North Carolina; Brenda Plassman, Ph.D.,

University of Bridgeport hygienists provide free care in Honduras

Professors and students from Fones School of Dental Hygiene at the University of Bridgeport traveled this month to Roatan, an island off the coast of Honduras, to provide oral healthcare to some of the poorest residents in the region. Led by professors Leigh-Lynn Vitukinas, R.D.H., and Sandra Stramoski, R.D.H., five dental hygiene students and two recent graduates from Fones treated 200 patients and educated at least 500 more children and

3Shape, Solidscape partner on automated dental form production

3Shape A/S has joined forces with Solidscape to offer dental labs fully automatic preparation and generation of directly castable dental forms, according to the company. 3Shape and Solidscape engineers have collaborated to create a seamless integration of Solidscape’s ModelWorks printing setup software with the 3Shape CAMbridge software. The integration-solution within 3Shape CAMbridge allows users to select “Solidscape” as the output device, automatically and visually arrange and orient the restorations, add

3M announces new indications for Protemp Crown

3M ESPE has announced new indications for its Protemp Crown temporization material. Dentists can now use the preformed, malleable temporary crown for implant abutments and digital impressions, as well as for long-term temporization, the company said. The material is currently used for creating single-unit temporary posterior crowns. The crown can be used to offer patients a more natural-looking appearance after the healing and osseointegration of an implant has occurred, and

AAPD names new president-elect

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) named John Liu, D.D.S., of Issaquah, WA, as its new president-elect at its recent annual session in Hawaii, the organization announced. Dr. Liu has been a member of the AAPD since 1988. He has served as the academy’s vice president (2008-2009), secretary-treasurer (2007-2008), and trustee-at-large (2002-2005). Dr. Liu attended dental school at Loma Linda University in California and received his pediatric dentistry certificate

AAOMS applauds introduction of CARES Act

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) applauds U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-LA) on introducing S. 1235, the Senate companion bill to H.R. 1339, the Children’s Access to Reconstructive Evaluation and Surgery (CARES) Act. The bill would require insurance plans that provide surgical benefits, including those under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, to cover reconstructive surgeries for children with congenital deformities, including craniofacial anomalies, according to the

Violight toothbrush sanitizers now sold through dental offices

Violight, manufacturers of the Vio 100 and Vio 200 ultraviolet light toothbrush sanitizers, is offering a Dental Professional Distribution Program that enables authorized dental offices to provide their patients with the company’s products, the company announced. The program offers a retail model for dentists who prefer to stock and dispense products within the practice, and a referral program for those who would rather have the commerce handled by Violight. Participating