Smile! Emotive dental photos don’t have to break the bank

By far the biggest myth about producing emotive dental photos is the necessity for expensive equipment and additional training with photo-retouching and editing software, according to a presenter at the Chicago Dental Society 2023 Midwinter Meeting. Once clinicians understand a few basic principles of light and composition, differentiating between dental photographs that were produced with a $5,000 setup versus those that were taken with a $500 setup is nearly impossible,

Dencept acquires, relaunches Beckmer Products’ devices

Dental solutions provider Dencept Dental has acquired the licensing, manufacturing, and distribution rights for Beckmer Products’ portfolio of dental tools. The acquired products enable hands-free, ergonomic operation of dental and hygiene procedures and include the following tools: ul.editorialList li {margin-bottom:12px;} Dental RAT is a periodontal charting system that eliminates twisting when charting pocket depths. Blue Boa is light suction tubing that provides hands-free saliva removal. Boomer is a foot mouse

Researchers develop cytokine score for gum inflammation

A new scoring method based on cytokine levels in saliva could help dentists determine how well patients respond to treatments for gum disease, according to researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry. A team led by Dr. Angela Kamer, PhD, of the school’s Ashman Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry developed an approach that measures inflamed periodontal tissue based on levels of several proinflammatory cytokines in saliva. In testing,

Could dental photos at obstetrician visits stop kids’ caries?

A researcher in New York is studying whether taking intraoral photos of pregnant patients’ teeth during their regular obstetrician visits will prevent severe tooth decay in children. The research team will use the technology to monitor patients’ oral health. Dr. Jin Xiao, PhD, an associate professor and perinatal oral health expert at the University of Rochester’s Eastman Institute of Oral Health in New York, and her team developed an artificial intelligence

Melatonin may reduce pain, swelling after 3rd molar surgery

Patients with impacted lower third molars may experience less pain and swelling if the hormone melatonin is applied to their tooth sockets after surgical removal, according to a prospective, randomized clinical trial published recently in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Though melatonin also may play a part in improving the maximum mouth opening, the bone healing activity of melatonin could not be detected in this study, the authors

Endodontist ordered to repay $10M in COVID-19 relief funds

An endodontist in Oregon was sentenced to nearly six years in prison for his role in attempting to steal more than $170 million in U.S. COVID-19 relief funds, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Dr. Salwan Adjaj, 44, who pleaded guilty to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft, was sentenced to 70 months in a U.S. prison plus three years of supervised release for the alleged theft and illegal distribution of

Week in Review: SDF vs. sealants | Can a $20M program solve the staffing shortage? | We’re heading to Chicago!

Dear DrBicuspid Member, A dose of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) brushed onto children’s teeth as part of a school-based oral health program prevents cavities as effectively as sealants, according to a new study. Our top story of the week covers the findings of the CariedAway study, which suggests that school-based programs can be very effective at preventing dental caries. $20M plan to recruit hygienists, assistants Staffing shortages are still on

CDA calls for changes to sedation permits

The California Dental Association (CDA) is asking the California Dental Board to adjust its training requirements for moderate sedation permits, as well as onsite inspections and evaluations. The CDA is calling for the board to adjust its application processing standards to establish that previous conscious sedation permit holders meet the training requirements necessary to obtain moderate sedation permits. The association reasons that the training requirements for both permits are “nearly

Roland DGA’s DGShape, Hass Bio America partner

Roland DGA’s DGShape Americas business group has entered a new strategic U.S. partnership with glass ceramic manufacturer Hass Bio America. To kick off the partnership, Roland DGA is offering a cobranded variation of Hass Bio’s Amber Mill Direct, the company announced in a press release. The Amber Mill Direct, powered by Roland DGA, is a precrystallized CAD/CAM lithium disilicate block that does not need to be fired. The block is

Kids gagging at the dentist? Blame mom

Children with a sensitive gag reflex during dental treatment may be just like their mothers. Among moms who gagged at the dentist, about 72% of their children did the same, according to a study published on February 16 in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. In addition to the mother’s propensity for gagging, past negative dental treatments and higher levels of dental fear were risk factors for children having a delicate

Treats from grandparents not so sweet

Less than half of mothers address the issue of grandparents giving their grandchildren copious amounts of cavity-causing foods and beverages, according to a study recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers, led by Dr. Jacqueline Burgette, PhD, of the University of Pittsburgh, conducted an in-person, two-year study of 126 participants to examine which factors influenced mothers to talk with grandparents about giving their grandchildren sugary foods and

Should clinicians tell parents their child is pregnant?

If a minor questions the safety of dental x-rays because she may be pregnant and isn’t yet ready to tell her parents, clinicians must consider the potential legalities. The commentary was published on February 13 in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Clinicians need to ask the minor uncomfortable yet necessary personal questions, including whether the pregnancy was the result of consensual sex, and then decide how to