Clear aligners vs braces: Which one comes out on top?

When you have to decide between clear aligners and traditional braces, which treatment option is best for your patients? Researchers reviewed multiple scientific studies to evaluate the pros and cons of both tooth movement techniques. While clear aligners and braces effectively treated malocclusion, each treatment type had its own strengths and weaknesses. The researchers reported their findings in a systematic review published in BMC Oral Health (January 23, 2019). “Clear

Week in Review: New codes & fee assessments | Poor hand hygiene | Too much toothpaste

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Let’s start this week’s newsletter with a question that can have an impact on your revenue this year: Have you re-evaluated the fees your office charges? Practice management consultant Teresa Duncan asks her clients this question around the turn of each year. She points out that if your office’s lab and other fees have increased over the past year, then it’s time to reconsider what you are

Parents believe opioids are more effective than alternatives

Parents are well aware of the risks associated with opioids, including addiction and overdose. Yet many still believe opioids are more effective at relieving pain after surgery than alternative medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) surveyed more than a thousand parents of teenagers and young adults to gauge their knowledge and opinions on the use of opioids for pain management. Although parents acknowledged

Sometimes you have to go outside the box

We all have personal stories to tell that may prove a point. Sometimes, telling these stories may sound like sour grapes. But sometimes these stories could expose our vulnerability by forcing us to move outside the box. Moving outside the box is risky, but it may be necessary to get the word out. It’s almost like whistleblowers who put ethics and morals above security and the status quo. So, here

CDC survey: U.S. kids brush at 1 year but use too much toothpaste

Almost 80% of U.S. children and adolescents began brushing their teeth at or before their first birthday, according to a new report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). However, nearly 40% of children ages 3 to 6 are using too much toothpaste when they brush. Researchers used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2016 to evaluate more than 5,100

Study finds Coca-Cola influence in China’s health policy

A series of articles from a Harvard University researcher claim Coca-Cola helped influence the direction of public health policy in China. Harvard anthropology professor Susan Greenhalgh, PhD, conducted intensive research into China’s health policy, including interviewing Chinese obesity experts and analyzing newsletters. Greenhalgh concluded that a nonprofit with close ties to Coca-Cola helped shift health policy thinking in the country to emphasize physical activity over diet. She published her investigation

CVS, Walgreens move into dental health space

Pharmacy giants CVS Health and Walgreens are making moves into the dental health space. CVS has launched a pilot partnership with Smile Direct Club to integrate the company’s clear aligners into six store locations, according to CNBC. Smile Direct Club, a direct-to-consumer invisible aligner start-up, already sells its kits at CVS, Macy’s, and other retailers. Through the new SmileShopExpress partnership, the public will be able to get 3D scans for

What Are the Best Foods for Dental Health

An easy way to make secure good oral health is through your diet. Proper nutrition means your body can get the nutrients you need for good health and wellness. Poor diet can cause gum disease and tooth decay. If you continue to eat foods that are high in carbohydrates, sugars, and starches, your mouth’s production of plaque acids will increase and can eventually destroy your tooth enamel. If the plaque

Dental Care During Pregnancy

Have you heard about the saying “Gain a child, lose a tooth”? This is one of the strange dental superstitions our ancestors had passed on to us as they tried to make sense of occurrences that they did not fully understand. This simply means that pregnant women will often lose a tooth for every child that they have. But how true can this be? Science proves that this folktale is somehow real.

The Connection between Dental Health and Overall Health

Dental health should not be viewed separately from the overall health. If you think that there are not enough reasons to take good care of your mouth, teeth and gums aside from having a nice smile and pleasant breath, remember that there is a strong link between your oral health and your overall health. It is unfortunate that oral health is sometimes not included in general health promotions and campaigns,

Children’s oral health and screening laws: 5 key takeaways

The District of Columbia and 14 U.S. states have passed laws encouraging children to get dental screenings before the school year. However, these laws struggle to have a measurable impact, according to a new report published just in time for Children’s Dental Health Month. The report details several trends that hinder the effectiveness of dental screening laws, including an inability for children to find permanent dental homes and a lack

Regular NSAID use may increase some HNC survival rates

Regular use of aspirin or another nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) pain medication may increase the survival rates for certain head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, according to a new study. However, researchers caution that there are no specific regimen recommendations at this time. Researchers analyzed more than 260 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) who had their tumors surgically removed. They reported that patients with a mutation in