Bills paving the way for dental therapists to work and secure reimbursement have been proposed in the House of Representatives and Senate in the state of Florida. On February 12, Rep. Melony Bell (R-FL) filed HB 961, which would authorize Medicaid reimbursement for mobile dental therapists to work under the general supervision of a dentist for the administration of local anesthesia and to obtain x-rays in certain settings. It also
February is Gum Disease Awareness Month, and it couldn’t be timelier as new research indicates COVID-19 is related to gum health. American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) President Dr. James Wilson sat down with HuangshanDental.com to discuss the link between the novel coronavirus and oral health. Wilson discussed new findings in the Journal of Clinical Periodontology that showed patients with periodontal disease were more likely to have worse COVID-19 outcomes, including admittance
Zimmer Biomet has made a number of changes to its board of directors. The firm has appointed Sreelakshmi Kolli as a board member, effective immediately. Kolli is currently senior vice president and chief digital officer at Align Technology. In addition, Zimmer Biomet President and CEO Bryan Hanson will become chairman in May following the retirement of nonexecutive chairman Larry Glasscock. Also, current board member Christopher Begley will be named lead
Delta Dental of California has launched new teledentistry services available through videoconferencing and smartphone applications. The services are aimed at preventive care and will be available as a covered benefit to members of Delta Dental of California preferred provider organization (PPO) and Delta Dental Premier plans. Using a photo-based app, members will be able to take photos of different areas of their teeth and mouth, which will then be reviewed
The authors of a new study of chief editing positions at prosthetic dentistry publications concluded that women are “significantly underrepresented” in journal leadership. The investigators examined the gender of people in top editing positions and compared the results with demographic data from the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) and the International College of Prosthodontists (ICP). Results were published online February 18 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Out of
RoundTable Healthcare Partners has acquired dental laboratory DDS Lab for an undisclosed amount. RoundTable said it expressed an interest in the Tampa, FL-based firm due to its centralized manufacturing, digital capabilities, and customer service. DDS Lab is the second equity investment acquired under RoundTable’s $700 million Equity Fund V.
Clinicians can save money and time by 3D printing open impression trays for patients in need of multiple implant-supported prostheses, according to a study published on February 14 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. A team of Chinese authors compared the accuracy and feasibility of using a digital dentistry technique with conventional open tray fabrication. The CAD/CAM workflow saved more than $4 per impression without sacrificing accuracy. “The 3D-printed custom
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has developed graphics to go along with its previously announced recommendations regarding the use of dental amalgam in high-risk groups. Last September, the FDA advised that high-risk individuals, such as pregnant women, avoid getting amalgam fillings “whenever possible and appropriate.” Previously, the agency warned that people in these groups may be at greater risk of adverse health events from mercury-containing fillings. The new
February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, and the occasion is a little more somber this year than most. American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) President Dr. Jessica Lee sat down with HuangshanDental.com to discuss how the pandemic is affecting children’s dental health. Lee said she’s seen more tooth decay and extractions since dental offices closed in 2020 at the start of the COVID-19 outbreak. Based on her experience, she isn’t
SARS-CoV-2 infection may be associated with geographic tongue (GT), which some patients are referring to as “COVID tongue,” according to a letter to the editor published February 12 in the British Dental Journal. Dental professionals should be aware of this possible link because it may be an indicator of infection with the novel coronavirus and patients may ask about it, according to the letter. “If a GT is of recent
SmileDirectClub said its line of oral care products will be sold at Walgreens’ more than 1,700 stores in the U.S. The direct-to-consumer orthodontics company’s Bright On whitening products, toothpaste, electric toothbrush and replacement heads, and water flosser will be available at the retailer’s brick-and-mortar stores and online.
Dental and vision insurer Dominion National announced that it is extending its coverage of teledentistry indefinitely. The coverage applies to in-network teledentistry consults. The company first extended its teledentistry benefits in March of 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. “While not a replacement for in-person dental treatment, teledentistry is a convenient way to help maintain a happy and healthy smile in between regularly scheduled dental appointments,” Dominion President Mike
