New CE courses focus on handpiece sterilization, insurance

Two new continuing education (CE) courses are now available from HuangshanDental.com. Topics include dental handpiece sterilization and insurance independence. Kathy Eklund, director of Occupational Health and Safety, Forsyth Institute Dental Handpieces: Reprocessing and Reuse, Got Contaminant? Studies have consistently shown that proper sterilization of handpieces is lacking in many dental practices. And even if you are diligent about sterilization, if you don’t clean your water lines or sterilize motors attached

How much local anesthetic should you use?

What’s the maximum recommended dose for lidocaine or mepivacaine during dental procedures? The answer remains unclear as guidelines published by dental organizations differ from those of manufacturers and textbooks. To further understanding about discrepancies in recommended maximum safe doses for commonly used local anesthetics, researchers surveyed faculty members at U.S. dental schools. The investigators found that no one dosage was taught by educators, and some were unaware that there was

Week in Review: Dental products on tariff list | Making an inviting office | Why more tooth decay?

Dear DrBicuspid Member, The dental industry received mixed news today in the trade showdown between the U.S. and China, as many dental products were taken off the list of products and materials that will have tariffs slapped on them. However, imaging, optical, and anesthetic devices were not spared and remain on the list to have a 25% tariff imposed beginning in July. Read more here. The positive news for the

Dental imaging products remain on U.S tariff list

The dental industry received mixed news in the trade showdown between the U.S. and China, as many dental products were taken off the list of products and materials that will have tariffs slapped on them. However, imaging, optical, and anesthetic devices were not spared and remain on the list released on June 15. On April 3, the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) released an initial list of

How a flow chart can help your practice

Most owner-doctors lament over bringing in high-end, high-tech equipment or services that promise to increase production and impress patients. The justification for the delay is that the initial costs are, or appear to be, astronomical. Jen Butler, MEd. And then once the focus is on the cost of the new equipment, the thought process often stops right there. Which likely means no new equipment and also no increased production and

Overall tobacco use down among U.S. students

The number of U.S. middle and high school students who use tobacco products has significantly dropped since 2011, according to new data from the U.S. government. However, more than 3 million students still regularly use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and other tobacco products. The new statistics come from the 2017 National Youth Tobacco Survey, a joint effort from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and

Chicago-area DSO adds 14 offices

The Chicagoland Smile Group dental support organization (DSO) has affiliated with Advanced Family Dental and Orthodontics, which has 14 offices in the Chicago area. The practices will retain the Advanced Family branding, according to the Chicagoland Smile Group website. The DSO now has 28 affiliated practices in Illinois.

Why do we have more tooth decay now?

Sometimes when my patients ask me about what they should eat, I give them a little background information. I remember going to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, DC, as a child. My favorite exhibits were the dinosaurs. I was in awe with the age of these beasts. Skeletons told a fascinating story to me as a child. Today, skeletons still tell the story. Adaptation Alvin Danenberg, DDS. Human bodies have

Apicoectomy Procedure: A Root End Surgery

There’s a common belief that a cracked tooth it’s something simple and nothing to worry about. In some cases, it may be but in many others, it’s better to visit your dentist of trust. If recently you or a loved one suffered from any trauma to the mouth that caused a fracture to a natural tooth, bleeding, or lacerations to the gums, immediate dental attention is required. Why? Because when

Green tea mouthwash may help patients with gingivitis

Green tea-based mouthwashes may rival chlorhexidine for some patients, a systematic review found. Patients with plaque-induced gingivitis who used a green tea-based mouthwash had plaque and gingival markers that were similar to those of patients who used chlorhexidine. Researchers scoured the internet and scientific databases for reviews comparing green tea-based mouthwashes with chlorhexidine or a placebo. When they noticed a lack of information on the topic, they conducted their own

How do narrow-diameter implants fare over the long term?

Wearing overdentures supported by narrow-diameter implants can be an intriguing choice for older patients whose needs aren’t met by conventional dentures but who require treatment that isn’t too invasive. Because the long-term quality-of-life benefits of this option are unknown, investigators took a closer look. They studied the oral health-related quality of life over a five-year period for patients who received overdentures after wearing complete dentures. The group found statistically significant

Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider: Managing pain for the adolescent brain

Dear Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider, The brains of adolescents are wired so that teenagers and young adults are more likely to take risks and are more susceptible to addiction, including opioid addiction. That’s why dentists have a special responsibility when treating this age demographic, according to one anesthesiology and pharmacology expert. Read more in our Insider Exclusive. In other Anesthesia & Pain Management Community news, the authors of a