The rate of caries in primary teeth and extractions due to caries were significantly lower in a school that banned sugary drinks compared with similar neighboring schools without this policy, according to a study in the Journal of Paediatrics and Child Health (January 10, 2017). After a school in New Zealand enacted a policy that banned sugary drinks and encouraged children to bring healthy lunches, the principal reported vast improvements
Leonard Linkow, DDS, DMSc, died on January 26 at age 90. He was known as the father of oral implantology. Dr. Linkow was the only dentist so far nominated for the Nobel Prize in Medicine (1969). He held 36 different patents when he died and was responsible for innovations including the following: The blade implant The self-tapping ventplant root form implant The tripodal subperiosteal implant The internal hex design for root
To combat early childhood caries, the California Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) has approved the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) for some high-risk children enrolled in Denti-Cal, the state’s dental Medicaid program. The change was announced at a January 24 webinar that further detailed the multimillion dollar plan to overhaul Denti-Cal. The department also unveiled its caries-risk assessment form and announced a training partnership with the California Dental
One question any office considering the purchase of a CAD/CAM system must ask is how much time will be saved during crown fabrication versus the traditional process. The more efficient the fabrication process is, the more productive an office can be, allowing more patients to be scheduled and technicians to get more tasks completed. Researchers from Switzerland undertook a randomized clinical trial to measure if CAD/CAM systems were indeed less
Dear Endodontics Insider, Major advancements have been made in nickel titanium (NiTi) rotary instruments in recent years. But which type of rotary instrumentation works best? In a new study in BMC Oral Health, researchers tested three types of NiTi instruments for shaping root canals, finding one that was superior. Read our Insider Exclusive. In other Endodontics Community news, when it comes to examining images of a tooth and identifying a
What’s the best way for children to learn how to brush their teeth? Is it more effective for them to be shown using a model of a jaw or for them to watch a video on a tablet computer? Researchers from Saudi Arabia compared the two methods in a study published in the European Journal of Paediatric Dentistry (December 2016, Vol. 17:4, pp. 327-331). They found that using a model
The Delta Dental Foundation has awarded grants totaling $150,000 to community-based oral healthcare programs in three U.S. states. The breakdown by state is as follows: Michigan organizations received $62,650. Ohio organizations received $60,250. Indiana organizations received $27,100. Delta Dental’s Brighter Futures Community Grants program provided the grants. The program is dedicated to improving the oral health of adults and children through philanthropy, advocacy, and education, the foundation said.
While screening for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is often recommended as a practice benefit for dental offices, what are the benefits — and harms — of sleep apnea screening? Researchers from the University of North Carolina tried to address this question in a new report published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. Unfortunately, they found the evidence lacking to demonstrate the effectiveness of most sleep apnea therapy techniques
Laser and CAD/CAM scanner company Biolase has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its Epic Pro laser system. The Epic Pro is a dental diode laser system. The laser can now be sold in the U.S., according to the company.
Dental products manufacturer Dentsply Sirona will provide the University of Pennsylvania (Penn) School of Dental Medicine with curing lights and instruction in restorative materials and techniques. The agreement between the company and the school covers four academic years, according to the university. The equipment and instruction will be used for student education and supplement the school’s clinical curriculum.
When it comes to examining images of a tooth and identifying a crack, should you use periapical radiography or cone-beam CT (CBCT)? Also, who is better trained to identify these cracks on images, an endodontist or a radiologist? Researchers from China noted that cracks in teeth present practitioners with a challenge in designing a treatment plan. Using both periapical radiography (PR) and CBCT, they investigated the best imaging method to
Practitioners who provide more positive reinforcement and reassurance when speaking with pediatric patients were perceived by caregivers to be more patient-centered and empathetic, according to a new study conducted in Hong Kong. In addition, the inclusion of caregivers in conversation, such as the clinician mentioning the parent or caregiver present, was a key factor in producing a quality clinical experience, the study authors reported in PLOS One (January 3, 2017).
