Fluoride exposure in infancy linked to lower nonverbal IQ

Another study has linked early fluoride exposure to lower IQ scores later in life. Researchers from the U.S. and Canada found fluoride intake from reconstituted infant formula was linked to significantly decreased nonverbal IQ scores in preschool-aged children. The study, which was published in Environment International (November 16, 2019), is the third in the past two years to question the relationship between fluoride intake and IQ scores for children. A

All That You Need to Know About Dental Crowns

Dental crowns or caps are a type of dental prosthodontics or prosthetic teeth restorations that dentists up atop the damaged tooth’s crown or topmost head, which is akin to the bejeweled royal headgear of the same name worn by royalty. It’s commonly associated with root canal therapy or endodontic treatments that pull the infected tooth root out of a heavily decayed tooth before its insides are cemented and the cap

Report: Midwestern cities rank highest for excess

Total the number of smokers, coffee drinkers, and the number of fast-food restaurants in a city and you have one formula to identify a population in need of dental care — and potential for periodontal disease. Personal finance website WalletHub ranked U.S. cities for “vice and excess” and found three midwestern U.S. cities ranked highest. The website ranked more than 180 U.S. cities on almost 40 critical indicators of so-called

Dental practice pokes fun at rival football fans

The Thanksgiving season is known for feasting, family, and football. It’s also a time for longtime college football rivalries, and one dental practice in Ohio is showing which team it hopes feels the sting of defeat, according to a news report by WDTN. Kondas Dental Group in Huber Heights is taunting University of Michigan fans with a sign set up outside the office that reads, “THIS WEEK ONLY – NO

Patient to receive $51K for untreated tooth decay

Dentists in the U.K. reached an out-of-court settlement, agreeing to pay 40,000 pounds (approximately $51,000 U.S.), with a former patient who lived with “unbearable” pain because his tooth decay was never detected or treated, according to a news report on WalesOnline. Maria Bousmpouki, DDS, and Dorrel Gordon, DDS, of mydentist in Crickhowell, U.K., will pay the settlement to Morgan Rees, 25, for allegedly failing to spot and treat his tooth

Infographic: A closer look at obesity in the U.S.

Nearly 40% of the U.S. population is now classified as obese, but the rate of obesity varies widely across different U.S. states and the District of Columbia. Personal finance website WalletHub compiled nutrition and obesity data in the U.S. to better map the differences among the states. In WalletHub’s analysis, Mississippi ranked as the “fattest” state in the U.S. According to the U.S. Centers Disease and Prevention (CDC), 39.5% of

ADA opposes agency’s proposed fluoride hazard rating

The ADA supports community fluoridation and believes it is a safe way to prevent caries, despite a recent draft monograph from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Toxicology Program that suggests fluoride is a cognitive neurodevelopmental hazard to humans. The program conducted a systematic review to evaluate the evidence that exposure to fluoride could be associated with neurodevelopmental or cognitive effects. A committee assembled by the National

New biodegradable rods combat periodontal disease

Researchers from Germany have developed biodegradable rods that can limit the application of antibiotics for periodontal disease to the mouth, reducing the side effects of standard pill-based antibiotic treatments. More than 50% of adults in Germany are at some point affected by periodontal disease, which exposes the body to harmful bacteria and may lead to pneumonia and heart attack, said lead author Karsten Mäder, PhD, of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Rise in e-scooter use leads to more head, face injuries

Riders of standing electric scooters (e-scooters) commonly experience head and face injuries due to multiple factors, including the troubles they have breaking their own falls, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. About 60% of patients who visited the emergency department in a major urban area with scooter-related trauma had head and face injuries, the researchers found. “Although providing an

Dentists should be aware of rising antidepressant use

The use of antidepressants in the U.K. has more than doubled over the past two decades, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry (October 7, 2019). This is a statistic that dental professionals should be mindful of during patient consultations for oral procedures. The researchers, led by Antony Arthur, PhD, from the University of East Anglia, investigated the prevalence of depression and the use of

Hu-Friedy launches flexible composite instrument

Hu-Friedy has launched its new Akro-Flex restorative composite spatula. The flexible instrument features hyperthin working ends made from nickel-titanium, an alloy known for its elasticity. This pliable spatula fits easily into narrow interproximal space and returns to its initial shape after use, according to the company. The lightweight, ergonomic design allows for an enhanced grip with less hand fatigue, and its smooth finish prevents excess composite material from building up,

Week in review: Delta Dental antitrust lawsuit | Assistant sues over breaks | DSO survey

With the news that various antitrust lawsuits have been filed against Delta Dental, we thought it was important to get opinion and fact on what is happening and how it could affect you and your practice from dental insurance expert Teresa Duncan. If you need a good weekend listen, check out her in-depth podcast where she breaks down what the lawsuits mean. Speaking of lawsuits, a dental assistant in Oregon