New ADHA president takes office

Caryn Loftis-Solie, R.D.H., was inaugurated as the 2010-2011 president of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) last month at the association’s annual meeting in Las Vegas. Solie has served in numerous positions within ADHA, including vice president, delegate, district XII trustee, and member of the Councils on Education, Public Health, and Policy and Bylaws. Most recently, she served as president-elect. She has served as president for the Nevada Dental Hygienists’

Fired tech says she warned VA about unclean equipment

A technician who previously worked at the John Cochran St. Louis Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center told the U.S. House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs that she had warned officials about unsanitary dental equipment at the hospital but her concerns were ignored and she ultimately lost her job, according to an Associated Press story. Earlene Johnson spoke at a special hearing in St. Louis on July 13. The hearing was convened

W.Va. woman sues over bad bridge prep

A West Virginia woman is suing a Charleston dentist claiming the impressions he took in preparation for a bridge caused serious complications and considerable follow-up dental work, according to a story in the West Virginia Record. Linda Johnson was seen by Ernest Pennington, D.D.S., in January 2008, according to a complaint filed June 25 in Kanawha County Circuit Court. She claims the material he used to make the impressions caused

3M sponsors infection-control contest

To highlight innovative infection prevention practices across the U.S. and to showcase original ways of improving patient care, the 3M Infection Prevention Division is sponsoring the 3M Innovation Award YouTube Video Contest. This multiphase contest is designed to recognize the efforts of individuals and teams in U.S. healthcare facilities who work to reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs), the company said. Infection prevention professionals are invited to upload a

Astra Tech adds new abutment options

Astra Tech has expanded the Atlantis patient-specific abutment options to include Dentsply Friadent’s XiVE and Frialit implants and Straumann’s Standard/Standard Plus (wide neck) implants for North American customers. Atlantis abutments are already available for major implant systems such as Astra Tech, Straumann, Nobel Biocare, Biomet 3i, and Zimmer Dental, the company said. Astra Tech said it plans to introduce additional Atlantis interfaces and material choices this year. Copyright © 2010

Vampire books inspire teen fangs trend

The popular Twilight book series has inspired a new trend among its young fan base: vampire-style fangs, according to a news story on myFoxHouston.com. Teens are paying cosmetic dentists about $200 to get temporary vampire veneers, according to the story. Clint Herzog, D.D.S., who has five offices in Texas, told Fox that vampire veneers are in demand, especially in suburbia. In a 15-minute procedure, Dr. Herzog applies tooth-colored resin to

Dos and don’ts for implant success

Interoffice communication If you refer implant cases, a high degree of collaboration between your office and the specialist’s office is critical. Without a strong focus on communication, the treatment process can easily break down between the referral, the consultation, and the surgical appointment. Collaborate. There is no dental procedure that calls for a dentist and a specialist to be in synch quite like implants. Both must be on the same

New air sanitizer releases OSHA-compliant vapor

Prolitec, which develops and markets air treatment and indoor air quality technologies, has introduced an air-sanitizing device for use in dental and medical offices, assisted-living facilities, hospitals, and other enclosed spaces. The aria air-sanitizing system uses patented Prolitec technology to generate an invisible “dry” vapor of a safe and effective air sanitizing agent, the company said. The vapor can be distributed within a space directly from a small, wall-mounted appliance

Doctors can help parents wean babies from bottle

Family doctors and pediatricians can influence when parents wean their children from the bottle, thereby helping to reduce tooth decay, obesity, and iron deficiency, according to a new study (Pediatrics, July 12, 2010) by researchers at St. Michael’s Hospital and the Hospital for Sick Children. The goal of the study was to determine whether an office-based, educational intervention program for parents of 9-month-old children could reduce bottle use and iron

Timken expands dental bearings product line

The Timken Company has enhanced its line of precision bearings for high-speed dental handpieces with a broader selection of options and features to better resist wear in harsh sterilization environments while improving stability and lubricant flow. The new dental bearings employ stainless steel rings, grade 3 balls, and an advanced cage, the company said. Customers can now choose ball and shield upgrades to match the needs of their specific handpiece

5-year-old dies after dental procedure

A 5-year-old Atlanta boy died July 9 after suffering a seizure at a dentist’s office. The child was identified by the Fulton County Medical Examiner’s office as David Liddell. He had been undergoing a procedure at Children’s Dentistry of Camp Creek in Atlanta, according to a story by WSBTV.com. The boy reportedly had “prior medical issues,” according to the story. He was taken to Children’s Hospital of Atlanta where he

All-zirconia implants show promise

Two new studies on all-zirconia implants show these devices approaching — but perhaps not yet attaining — the durability of titanium. Researchers from University Clinics Freiburg will present data on the durability of one-piece, alumina-toughened zirconia (ATZ) implants (Ziraldent, Metoxit) in 20 patients at the International Association for Dental Research’ (IADR) annual meeting this week in Barcelona, Spain. This is among the first studies with clinical data on one-piece zirconia