Delta Dental of Calif. mistakenly pays for patients’ crowns

Delta Dental of California experienced a system error that resulted in the insurer mistakenly processing and paying for patients’ crown procedures. The error affected about 350 self-funded employer groups, according to a report by the California Dental Association. The mistake affected claims filed between October 13, 2018, and January 10, 2019, and resulted in the insurer paying for patient crowns before it was required to cover them. Delta Dental has

Pediatric dentist allegedly overused restraints, nitrous oxide

A pediatric dentist in New Hampshire is facing disciplinary action for professional misconduct for allegedly overusing physical restraints and nitrous oxide, as well as performing too much dental work during single appointments, according to a news report in the Sentinel Source. The New Hampshire Board of Dental Examiners’ disciplinary hearing against Blake Wullbrandt, DDS, began on November 8 and is expected to continue until December 2. The board will determine

Sonic the Hedgehog gets a proper smile

Paramount Pictures has released its new trailer for its upcoming movie, “Sonic the Hedgehog,” and the anthropomorphic extraterrestrial blue hedgehog has gotten a much-deserved makeover, including fewer, creepy human teeth. The movie company went back to the drawing board to redesign Sonic after fans bemoaned the nightmarish look of one of their favorite video game characters after seeing the film’s initial trailer. Fans despised Sonic’s elongated body, mouthful of human-looking

Young Innovations buys PuraGraft

Dental supply manufacturer Young Innovations has purchased biomaterial products provider PuraGraft. PuraGraft supplies biomaterial products for bone and tissue regeneration, as well as pharmaceuticals and other supplies, for the oral surgery and dental implant markets, according to Young Innovations. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Calif. passes law abolishing dental co-pays for inmates

Inmates at city and county jails in California will no longer be required to pay for dental and medical visits thanks to a new bill recently signed into law. The law, AB 45, abolishes the current $5 co-pay prisoners must pay and goes into effect in 2020. In addition to not charging inmates to see a doctor or dentist, the law signed in October by Gov. Gavin Newsom bars jails

Md. dentist arrested for sharing child porn at work

A dentist was arrested for possessing and sharing multiple images of child pornography through an online social network while working at a family dental practice in Parkville, MD, according to news reports. Adam Slatniske, DDS, of Sykesville, was charged with five counts of possessing and five counts of distributing child pornography. He was released on November 5 after posting bond. The 28-year-old has been released from his position at Parkville

Week in Review: Bonus plans | 2020 insurance changes | A clinical tip to know

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Monday marks Veterans Day here in the U.S., and it’s my hope that you and your team are taking the time in your dental practice to thank the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces to protect our freedoms. My dad served in Vietnam, and I know how much the words “Thank you for your service” mean to him. Do you know which of

UNC fan gets permanent ‘Carolina blue’ front teeth

Every time this guy flashes a smile, the University of North Carolina (UNC) basketball team will know where he stands, according to an article on 247sports.com. A UNC fan, who has not been named, was seen sporting permanent Carolina blue front teeth at the Tar Heels season opener against Notre Dame in Chapel Hill on November 6. The fan opted to turn up the volume on his superfan status after

Only 3 out of 5 women get teeth cleaned during pregnancy

Approximately 90% of women know that taking care of their teeth and gums during pregnancy is important, yet only about 60% go for dental cleanings, according to a new study published on November 6 in BMC Oral Health. The researchers found that women who knew dental care was crucial were 1.4 times more likely to have their teeth cleaned during pregnancy, proving that educating expectant mothers about the value of

Man nearly dies after dentures get stuck in throat for hours

A 75-year-old man in China almost choked to death after accidentally swallowing his dentures while eating a meal. The dentures were lodged in his throat for about eight hours before they were removed during emergency surgery, according to news reports. Zhu Benbiao was rushed to the hospital by his family after they noticed he had difficulties breathing and eating. He was scanned at the hospital, and it revealed that one

Dentist sets world record for fastest crown prep

A dentist in Kentucky will take the crown for completing the fastest tooth crown preparation in the world, likely landing him in the Guinness World Records, according to news reports. On November 7, Jack Perkins, DDS, completed the task on a 3D dental model in 84.6 seconds. It often takes 20 to 30 minutes to complete the process on a patient. Now, the dentist and owner of Perkins Dentistry in

Lifelong exposure to fluoride reduces caries in kids

PHILADELPHIA – Lifetime exposure to community water fluoridation is effective in reducing dental caries in the permanent teeth of teens and tweens, according to studying findings presented at the American Public Health Association 2019 annual meeting. Large socioeconomic disparities in dental caries prevalence were observed in the permanent teeth of students in North Carolina, according to Go Matsuo, BDS, MPH, of Tohoku University Graduate School of Dentistry in Nagasaki, Japan.