Dentist settles case involving unneeded ‘baby root canals’ in kids

A pediatric dentist, his dental service organization (DSO), and 13 affiliated practices will pay $753,457 to resolve allegations that dentists performed unnecessary “baby root canals” on kids and billed Medicaid for them, according to New York and U.S. authorities. Dr. Barry L. Jacobson, the CEO of the pediatric DSO HQRC Management Services, which now is doing business as PDS Management Solutions, along with 13 affiliated pediatric practices in New Jersey and

Older, female providers more likely to get 1-star reviews

More healthcare providers are getting rated online — and those ratings matter for attracting patients. Researchers determined which factors increase a provider’s risk of receiving poor reviews on Yelp in a study published on October 3 in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. The study focused on reviews for oral and maxillofacial surgeons in private practice, to understand which factors increase the risk of very poor, one-star

Do apps help orthodontic patients improve their oral hygiene?

Can an app reduce plaque for orthodontic patients? Researchers analyzed the effects of using a mobile app on the oral hygiene of adolescents undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment in a small study published on October 1 in the International Dental Journal. Successful orthodontic treatment happens when occlusion corrections are achieved without compromising the preexisting health status of the patient’s teeth and supporting tissues. Previous studies have shown that an educational approach

Childhood medication linked to molar incisor hypomineralization

Exposure to certain medications in early childhood is suspected to be associated with molar incisor hypomineralization (MIH). Researchers analyzed associations between MIH, exposure to medication, and prenatal factors in a study published on September 30 in the Journal of Dentistry. MIH is a major oral health concern with a widely unknown origin. While MIH is considered to have a systemic origin, the etiology and pathogenesis remain controversial. “Exposure to drugs

1 round of laser therapy may reduce 3rd-molar surgery pain

Administering an extraoral low-level diode laser for one session of irradiation following wisdom tooth surgery may decrease patient pain, according to the results of a clinical trial recently published in BMC Oral Health. Though laser treatment did not seem to make a noteworthy reduction in edema or trismus, using a 940 nm low-level diode laser decreased the number of analgesics patients took after surgery, the authors wrote. “Single-session irradiation of

Are dentists overdiagnosing burning mouth sensation?

Patients with burning mouth sensation are frequently seen in dental clinics, yet dentists may be overdiagnosing the condition, according to a study of more than 500 patients that was published on September 24 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. BMS can cause symptoms that impact patients’ quality of life, including a decrease in functional activity and an increase in healthcare costs. Therefore, having a full understanding of BMS

Bone defects found in adults after clear aligner therapy

Imaging revealed an increase in alveolar bone defects in adults with mild to moderate crowding who underwent clear aligner therapy without tooth extractions, according to a study published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans taken immediately after patients completed nonextraction clear aligner therapy showed counts of alveolar bone dehiscence rose by about 11 percentage points, and alveolar bone fenestration increased by about

All That You Need to Know About Dental Inlays and Onlays

If you wish to preserve your compromised teeth and its natural structure, we strongly recommend that you look into getting inlays and onlays for them instead of going straight to dentures, bridges, crowns, and veneers. Dental inlays and onlays make the treated area much easier to clean when compared to other restorative dental options. In addition, the material used for them typically does not shrink as time goes by. This

Week in Review: SalaryScan results | Pediatric legal case | Biden nutrition plan

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Curious how your salary stacks up against other HuangshanDental.com readers? Now you can find out. Our top story of the week covered the results of our first SalaryScan survey that compared dentist salaries by age, specialty, practice type, and more. Check it out to see how your salary, debt, and benefits compare to those of your peers. If the results of the SalaryScan survey make you want

WildSmiles partners with SmileSuite

WildSmiles Braces is partnering with SmileSuite to help orthodontists close more cases while focusing on personalized patient care. Through the partnership, providers can attract new patients with direct-to-consumer digital promotion, the companies said. SmileSuite streamlines new WildSmiles cases with its treatment presentation suite that provides customer information and promotes WildSmiles brackets directly to the patient. The SmileSuite presentation technology includes a customizable slider, electronic contract signature, and the ability to

Antipsychotic induces open bite in 27-year-old woman

A 27-year-old woman developed an open bite when she took the atypical antipsychotic aripiprazole, and her malocclusion worsened as her medication dosage increased, according to a case report recently published in Frontiers in Psychiatry. The abnormal tension of the patient’s masticatory muscles induced by the antipsychotic was associated with her developing the open bite, the authors surmised. It is believed to be the first case of aripiprazole-induced open bite as

Will I be Safe During My Visit for Dental Work in Mexico?

Traveling for dental work in Mexico is a very common practice nowadays, and just like during any other type of trip safety is a big concern. We all want not only to have a good time and get the best services but also to feel comfortable and enjoy the visit with no worries. Mexico is one of the most popular destinations for dental tourism and also one of the safest; here