Evident management software tailored to dental labs

Evident Dental Labs is now offering Web-based management software that is the first true cloud computing software for dental labs, according to the company. The package features integrated e-mail, fax, and text messaging, making customer communications simple and flexible and saving the lab time and money, Evident said. Yield management features help ensure the right technician works on the right case, the company noted. The software can be configured to

Ultrasound finds early perio disease

High-frequency, high-resolution ultrasound shows “great potential” as a noninvasive, nonionizing imaging technique for the early diagnosis of severe periodontal disease, according to researchers from West Virginia University (Annals of Biomedical Engineering, June 8, 2010). “Although medical specialties have recognized the importance of using ultrasonic imaging, dentistry is only beginning to discover its benefit,” they wrote. “This has particularly been important in the field of periodontics, which studies infections in the

Alaska law adds to Medicaid coverage for dentures

A bill signed into law by Alaska Gov. Sean Parnell allows eligible Medicaid recipients to access two years’ worth of adult dental Medicaid benefits when they need an upper and lower denture at the same time, according to a story on sitnews.us. The annual limit for adult dental services in Alaska is $1,150. Two years’ worth of benefits are typically needed to get a full set of dentures. The new

Are cosmetic procedures being overprescribed?

The perfect Hollywood smile is in high demand these days. But is this trend prompting dentists to overprescribe cosmetic procedures? Recent news reports have raised concerns that patients feel pushed into cosmetic procedures during routine visits. “Cosmetic dentistry has been very popular for the past few years, and some bad apples may be overprescribing,” said Hugh Flax, DDS, the president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and a

Zirconia successful for severe anterior decay

Zirconia copings held up well over three years in compromised anterior teeth in a clinical trial published in the International Journal of Prosthodontics (March/April 2010, Vol. 23:2, pp. 107-109). For the prospective trial, University Clinic Erlangen researchers evaluated 19 0.3-mm-thick zirconia copings and feather-edged marginal preparations used to restore severe decay in the anterior maxilla. Ten patients received 19 single-tooth restorations. After a mean follow-up of 39.2 months, every single

Ky. gets $200K in grants to help kids’ dental health

Kentucky Gov. Steve Beshear announced two rounds of federal grant funding totaling more than $200,000 that will allow 24 counties to create community coalitions aimed at improving dental health among children throughout eastern Kentucky and other areas of the state. The awards are part of a three-year initiative Beshear announced in fall 2009 with a goal of improving quality and access to dental care across the region, using $1.6 million

Komet product videos now viewable on cell phones

Komet USA’s summer 2010 sales brochure will feature Microsoft Tag, an innovative way to view videos on cell phones, the company announced. The technology allows a person to scan a tag and view product videos featuring Komet’s OS Discs/OS30 oscillating handpiece and Endo Rescue Kit. “This technology gives Komet USA’s current and potential customers an opportunity to see some of our products in action, without sitting in front of a

Fibrocell Science appoints dental adviser

Fibrocell Science has appointed Nicolas Elian, DDS., as an adviser to the company, which is focused on developing autologous cell therapies for aesthetic, medical, and scientific applications. As a dental expert, Dr. Elian will bring deep experience in the study of reconstructive dentistry to his advisory role for Fibrocell, according to the company. William K. Boss, MD, who was instrumental in developing Fibrocell Science’s original technology, has partnered with Dr.

Implants integrate in patients on bisphosphonates

Since patients on intravenous bisphosphonates sometimes suffer from osteonecrosis of the jaw, questions have risen about placing implants in them. So researchers at the Karolinska Institute and the University of Connecticut undertook a literature review to see how well implants osseointegrate in these patients. In an article published in the Journal of Periodontology (April 2010, Vol. 81:4, pp. 479-484), they reported on 10 studies in which patients were using oral

Ohio law gives hygienists more independence

An Ohio law allowing hygienists to practice without a dentist’s physical supervision will take effect August 31. Signed into law May 27, the law creates the Oral Health Access Supervision Program, allowing dentists to send hygienists into settings outside the dental office to provide cleanings and other hygiene services. Dentists would be required to review the health history of each patient prior to the provision of services to ensure that

Roland launches zirconia milling machine

Roland DGA has released the DWX-30 compact computer numerically controlled (CNC) dental milling machine for creating copings, crowns, and bridges in zirconia and wax. Designed for the dental market, the DWX-30 features an integrated clamping system with three types of clamps — one for disks and two for blocks — to hold various material sizes and thicknesses. The milling machine also features an integrated dust collection system that removes debris

Hispanic hygiene students claim discrimination

Hispanic hygiene students have accused the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio of discrimination, according to an article in the Express-News. Don Gonzalez of the League of United Latin American Citizens told the Express-News that the school’s promotions board treats Hispanics more harshly than students of other groups. Douglas Murphy, interim dean of the School of Health Professions, defended the school’s fairness and cited an increase in