Youths with a history of foster care are more at risk of having poor oral health and are less likely to see a dentist for a specific dental problem or for routine care than those who have not been in foster care, according to a study published online June 2 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The University of Minnesota researchers found youths with a history of foster
New Mexico has passed a mandate stating that public school students who have recently relocated to the state or are transferring to a new district must have had a dental exam within the past year to enroll, according to a June 13 report from the Santa Fe New Mexican. The new requirement takes effect July 1. Critics say the mandate may put some families in a financial bind, and that
The state of Wisconsin may authorize two kinds of dental care providers: dental therapists and dental auxiliaries, according to a June 14 report in the Wisconsin State Journal. The move is intended to “boost efficiency at dental clinics and access to dental care for the underserved in the state, which has a relatively low proportion of dentists who treat Medicaid patients,” according to the article. Dental therapists are recognized in
Dear DrBicuspid Member, Summer is approaching and more relaxed days may be on the horizon, but the dental news shows no sign of slowing down. Our top story of the week detailed the diagnosis and recovery of an 11-year-old girl in California who unknowingly swallowed a 2.7-cm orthodontic wire. The authors of the new report, which was published in the August issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports,
Stroll down the dental aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store and you’ll see a confusing array of products promising to whiten your teeth. The selection includes toothpastes, whitening strips, paint-on gels, mouth rinses, and even chewing gum. If you’re struck by decision paralysis over which product to recommend, imagine how the patient feels. Researchers performed a systematic review of over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whiteners in 2006 and concluded that
Many people believe that tooth loss is something that only affects older people, but this is not true in all cases. Tooth loss is a condition that should be treated as soon as possible as it has a major impact on your oral health. According to information published by the CDC, certain chronic conditions are linked to tooth loss, including arthritis, diabetes, and even heart disease. With the following information,
Voco has introduced its second thermoviscous composite, VisCalor, following the prior launch of VisCalor bulk. The universal esthetic composite, once warmed, is flowable during application. It then rapidly cools to body temperature after placement, allowing it to be sculped immediately, the company said. VisCalor has a filler rate of 83%, a 1.4% shrinkage rate, and a low wear rate, according to Voco. Voco’s VisCalor universal composite. Image courtesy of Voco.
Komet USA has announced the availability of EndoPilot, an endodontic motor for endodontists and general practitioners to use in procedures. EndoPilot’s features include a motor function that stops it once the preparation length has been reached and an integrated apex locator that shows file positions in real-time. It also comes with a fully insulated handpiece, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a wireless rheostat, Komet said. EndoPilot is a torque- and speed-controlled
Teeth whitening products bought online or over the counter may contain up to 300 times the legally permissible amount of hydrogen peroxide, according to a report by a group called Which? published on June 7 in BDJ in Practice. Investigators from Which? tested at least two teeth whitening products, both gel-filled syringes bought from sellers on AliExpress, that contained dangerously high levels of hydrogen peroxide: around 30% hydrogen peroxide, or
Periodontal disease comes with a high cost: The U.S. lost $154.1 billion in 2018 due to the condition, according to an analysis published on May 30 in the Journal of Periodontology. The loss was even worse in Europe, where periodontal disease cost the region nearly 158.6 billion euros ($194 billion U.S.). The study analyzed direct and indirect economic burdens of periodontal disease in the U.S. and 32 European countries by looking at global
Twitter users have started to get on board with community water fluoridation, with the number of supporters rising from none to 19% in five years, according to an article published on June 7 in BDJ in Practice. Researchers attribute the growth of positive attitudes toward fluoridation to the efforts of dental and public health groups, according to the article. However, opposition to fluoridation remains constant on Facebook. “There is now
Desktop Health said it has received the CE Mark for its Flexcera resin, a proprietary product for use in 3D fabrication of dental prosthetics. Flexcera resin was developed with the strength of ceramic coupled with long-chain chemistry to ensure optimal denture properties, according to the company. When used with EnvisionTEC 3D printers, dental providers can print up to eight customized Flexcera dentures in less than two hours, Desktop Health said.
