Baseball star joins OHA campaign against smokeless tobacco

Oral Health America (OHA) recently teamed up with John Danks, pitcher for the Chicago White Sox Major League Baseball team, to film a public service announcement (PSA) about the dangers of smokeless tobacco for OHA’s National Spit Tobacco Education Program (NSTEP). Danks recently quit chewing tobacco after beginning to experience health problems and is now committed to sharing his experience with children, preventing tobacco use and encouraging users to quit.

Nonprofit seeks candidates for orthodontic treatment

Smiles Change Lives (SCL), a nonprofit organization that provides affordable orthodontics for low-income families in the U.S., is seeking applicants to receive orthodontic treatment. Applicants must meet the following criteria: Ages 11-18 with good oral hygiene Have moderately to severely crooked teeth and/or misaligned jaws Taxable family income is at or below 200% of U.S. Federal Poverty Guidelines The organization’s vision is to give all youths suffering from crooked teeth

Tea contains more fluoride than once thought

Black tea may contain higher concentrations of fluoride than previously thought, which could pose problems for heavy tea drinkers, said researchers from the Medical College of Georgia during a presentation of their findings July 14 at the 2010 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) conference in Barcelona, Spain. “The additional fluoride from drinking two to four cups of tea a day won’t harm anyone; it’s the very heavy tea drinkers

Biolase announces layoffs, management change

Biolase Technology has eliminated 20 positions and made additional cost-cutting measures across the organization to “better position the company for future profitability,” the company announced. In connection with the corporate restructuring activities came the departure of Brett L. Scott, chief financial officer. Scott’s responsibilities will be taken on, for an interim period, by David Mulder, chairman and CEO, and Biolase’s corporate controller. The reduction in headcount, along with additional expense

IFDH installs new officers at Glasgow meeting

Maria Perno Goldie, R.D.H., B.A., M.S., was installed as the 2010-2013 president of the International Federation of Dental Hygienists (IFDH) July 3 in Glasgow, Scotland, during the closing ceremony of the International Symposium on Dental Hygiene (ISDH). Goldie has served in numerous positions within the IFDH and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association, including president-elect of the IFDH. She is a member of the National Speakers Association, the National Advisory Committee

J. Morita discontinues Rotary Master

J. Morita USA has discontinued the Rotary Master, an electric low-speed handpiece. The decision was made as a result of the company’s desire to focus resources on equipment developed by its parent company, J. Morita Manufacturing, according to a press release. The change takes effect immediately, as inventory supplies have been depleted. “We carefully assessed the impact of Rotary Master sales in North America and concluded this is a positive

Researchers pinpoint oral cancer biomarker

Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine researchers have discovered a biomarker, human beta defensin-3 (hBD-3), that may serve as an early warning sign for oral cancer (PLoS One, June 8, 2010). The hBD-3 biomarker is one of many innate immune peptides found in the epithelial lining of the mouth. In a normal, healthy oral cavity, hBD-1, -2, and -3 ward off the hundreds of bacteria that constantly challenge

IADR study questions tooth preparation

The inventors of the Hall technique — a controversial approach in which a preformed metal crown is cemented to an unprepared primary molar — have released evidence suggesting it is more effective than conventional restorations. “Sealing in caries using the [Hall technique] statistically, and clinically, significantly outperformed” conventional restorations, concluded the authors, who will present the study this week at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) annual meeting in

IMEP, MSC partner on online sedation course

The Institute of Medical Emergency Preparedness (IMEP) is partnering with Medical Simulation Corporation (MSC) to provide the MSC Moderate Sedation Course and IMEP Sedation Emergency Algorithms online. The Moderate Sedation Plus Airway Emergency and Sedation Algorithms Course is designed to help better prepare healthcare providers caring for patients undergoing procedures in which moderate sedation will be used, the companies said. IMEP and MSC will offer this course as an online

OHA has donated more than $200K to 2 dental schools

Oral Health America (OHA) was recently recognized by the West Virginia University (WVU) Foundation and New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry for its donations for the Smiles Across America programs established through each university. The Woodburn Circle Society at the WVU Foundation recognized OHA for donating $115,000 since 2006 to the Smiles Across America West Virginia program, which now includes 28 partners throughout the state, according to the OHA.

Komet offers metal crown remover

Komet USA has introduced the H34 tungsten carbide crown remover designed to cut and remove metal crowns. The device cuts metal easily because of its aggressive cross-cut toothing, according to the company. Large chip spaces allow quick chip removal and prevent clogging. Maximum efficiency is achieved when the H34 is applied to the crown surface at a 45° angle, which provides increased stability and high resistance to breakage, ensuring a

Hayes launches cleaning wipes for handpieces

Hayes Handpiece is now offering Tidy Whities, the first cleaning wipes specifically designed for handpieces and hand instruments. The wipes are designed for initially wiping down the exterior of handpieces or instruments to remove debris. The wipes are pH-neutral, noncorrosive, and nontoxic, and will not damage, spot, or pit instruments or handpieces, according to the company. Tidy Whities come in a plastic pop-top canister and are completely disposable, Hayes said.