Older patients’ oral health critical prior to surgery

Elderly patients presenting for surgery may be harboring undetected oral infections that could lead to expensive and life-threatening complications, according to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (June 1, 2010). The entire medical team — including oral care providers — needs to be aware of these risks and conduct preoperative oral assessment in this vulnerable population, according to Jeffrey Yasny, D.D.S., lead author and an assistant

Gene may hold key to reducing spread of oral cancers

The spread of cancer cells in the tongue may be reduced if a gene that regulates cancer cell migration can be controlled, according to a new study in the International Journal of Cancer (August 1, 2010, Vol. 127:3, pp. 505-512). More than 90% of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that normally start on the gums, floor of the mouth, or tongue, and about 30,000 Americans are affected each year,

Sanofi-Aventis, Novalar eye European market for OraVerse

Sanofi-Aventis and Novalar Pharmaceuticals announced that the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for OraVerse has been accepted for review by the regulatory agencies of the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. OraVerse, a local anesthesia reversal agent, has U.S. FDA clearance and is sold by Novalar directly to U.S. dentists. “Expansion of OraVerse into Europe represents a significant near-term opportunity for Novalar, and it is our goal to obtain marketing approval

Dentist convicted of fatally sedating 3 patients paroled

A California dentist convicted of killing three patients by giving them fatal doses of anesthesia has been granted parole, according to news stories. Tony Protopappas was convicted of second-degree murder in 1984 and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for killing two women and a girl by giving them the wrong dose of anesthesia at his Costa Mesa office, according to an Associated Press story. Kim Andreassen, 23;

Poor denture hygiene can prompt stomatitis

Poor oral hygiene habits and wearing dentures while sleeping are predisposing factors for denture-induced stomatitis, according to a study in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene (August 2010, Vol. 8:3, pp. 227-231). Researchers from King Saud University set out to determine the prevalence of denture-induced stomatitis among a sample of denture wearers attending a teaching hospital. They interviewed and examined 71 denture wearers. A questionnaire with 20 questions was used

Zimmer Q2 dental sales up 6%

Zimmer Holdings reported 6% growth in its net sales of dental implants in its second fiscal quarter of 2010 (end-June 30) compared to the same quarter last year. The company, which makes a wide range of prostheses, took in $56 million in dental implant sales, a fraction of its $1.06 billion in total sales, the company said. The increase in dental sales was 8% when measured in constant currency. The

Henry Schein, Sirona donate supplies to Peru clinic

Henry Schein Cares, the global social responsibility program of Henry Schein, and Sirona Dental Systems donated equipment and oral healthcare supplies to support the operation of the new Diospi Suyana Hospital Dental Clinic in the Apurimac region of Peru. Henry Schein and Sirona are two of the largest donors to the nonprofit dental clinic, the companies said in a press release. The new dental clinic, which includes five consultation rooms,

U.K. man claims dental amalgam caused asthma

A U.K. man says his asthma symptoms disappeared after his amalgam fillings were removed, according to a story in the Sun. Simon Williams believes he developed asthma four years ago from his mercury fillings, the Sun reported. But after having his amalgam fillings removed — a process he said was quite painful — he claims his symptoms disappeared. “When I woke the following morning, I felt I could breathe properly

Varying resin cement shades doesn’t change veneer color

Thin porcelain veneers cannot mask underlying tooth color even when different shades of resin cement are used, according to a study in Quintessence International (July-August, 2010, Vol. 41:7, pp. 567-573). Researchers from the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam wanted to determine the influence of natural dentin and resin cement colors on final color match of porcelain veneers. They chose a preselected shade tab (A1) as the target color for a

Trio on trial for selling dental products meant for charity

Three people in Utah are on trial for allegedly selling tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Nu Skin toothbrushes, toothpaste, and vitamins meant for a children’s charity, according to a story in the Desert News. Scott Lazerson, Brady Harper, and former Miss Utah Elizabeth Craig netted as much as $30,000 per month selling the products online, according to police. Authorities found more than $1 million worth of Nu Skin

Study: Adolescents with braces need not fear teasing

Eyeglasses and orthodontic hardware are two of the most unpopular items adolescents may be forced to wear. But a new study indicates that dental practitioners can deliver some good news to sulky young patients who have just been told they need fixed appliances. U.K. researchers report that children do not make social judgments about other children purely on the basis of wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance (Journal of Orthodontics, June

Special Olympics athletes get sealants

Pulpdent contributed sealants to about 35 athletes at a Georgia Special Olympics event, the company announced. Also participating in the project were the Georgia Public Health Department and Help A Child Smile, 3M ESPE, the Coca Cola Company, Delta Dental, Benco Dental, and Colgate. Pulpdent donated Embrace WetBond pit and fissure sealant, Etch-Rite etch gel, and Flecta disposable mirrors to provide up to 300 sealants for the athletes, the company