U.S. bill to fight opioid epidemic becomes law

A U.S. bill that provides resources to battle the ongoing opioid epidemic was signed into law by President Barack Obama on July 22. The bill, S.524 or the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016, introduces a number of strategies to combat and prevent opioid addiction at the local, state, and federal level, including the following: Providing grants to states to strengthen prescription drug monitoring programs Allowing the National Institutes

Accidental discovery may lead to materials revolution

What if you could use what might be the hardest known metallic substance that’s compatible with living tissue for your patient’s implants? It might sound like science fiction, but an accidental discovery by researchers working on magnets might show the way forward for implants. Seemingly it gets better, as this new material had a coefficient of friction that is four times less than that of titanium (Ti), which means a

Delta Dental Foundation gives $225K to Mich. health department

The Delta Dental Foundation has awarded $225,000 to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The donation will fund the state’s dental sealant and community water fluoridation programs.

Your Ultimate Dental Care Guide in Mexico Mexico Dentist prices (2025)

Without insurance, dental work can get really expensive. Mexico offers an affordable alternative for millions of visitors annually. “Some estimates put the total number of medical tourists to Mexico at between 1.4 to 3 million annually, with 40%-60% of those people coming from the U.S.” According to Data from the Global Health Intelligence. But, is it really worth getting dental work in Mexico? The short answer: yes. Here’s everything you

Can you use an intraoral scanner for upper jaw impressions?

If you use an intraoral scanner for digital impressions of a patient’s upper jaw, do you run into difficulties with palatal vault heights or arch widths? While there have been studies on digital impressions for restorations, researchers from China wanted to discover if different palatal vault heights or arch widths affected the accuracy of intraoral digital impressions. Their study was published in PLOS One (July 6, 2016). “It was feasible

Ariz. lifts CHIP enrollment freeze

Arizona has lifted its freeze on new enrollment in the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced on July 25 that enrollment in the program, which includes dental care, will begin on July 26. Access to service starts September 1. Enrollment had been frozen for several years, according to CMS. Arizona estimates that 30,000 to 40,000 children will be eligible for coverage in

J&J offloads Rembrandt to Ranir

Johnson & Johnson has sold the Rembrandt teeth-whitening brand to Ranir, a Michigan-based manufacturer of oral and personal healthcare products. The acquisition includes all intellectual property and rights to the brand, according to Ranir. Terms were not disclosed. Johnson & Johnson acquired the brand in 2005 from Procter & Gamble.

Are e-cigarettes a gateway to regular ones?

Teenagers who use e-cigarettes are significantly more likely to go onto smoke regular cigarettes, according to a new study. The researchers found this was true even if the teenagers were at an otherwise low risk of using conventional cigarettes. The Los Angeles-based authors focused on high school juniors and seniors, who were on the cusp of turning 18 and being able to legally purchase cigarettes. They wanted to know if

J&J enters orofacial 3D printing market

Johnson & Johnson has made a deal with Materialise, a Belgium-based 3D printing company, to enter the craniofacial implants market. Materialise will print its Trumatch line of titanium implants for DePuy Synthes, a Johnson & Johnson company specializing in orthopedic and neuro products and services. The Trumatch implants are based on a patient’s CT scan and include technologies to correct orthognathic and craniofacial conditions, such as malocclusion, sleep apnea, and

Week in Review: Dental costs to soar; veterans’ dental insurance; and caries management

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Dental care costs will soar 60% by 2025 in the U.S., according to a new report in Health Affairs. Dental experts say the cost of oral healthcare has risen sharply since 2000 and has increased at twice the rate of inflation for decades. Read Features Editor Donna Domino’s report here. A bill to provide dental insurance for U.S. military veterans has been sent to President Barack Obama

Does the 3-guide technique improve implant placement?

Can the accuracy of immediate implant placement be improved in patients with terminal dentition by using tooth-supported, bone-reduction guides? In a study published in the Journal of Oral Implantology (June 8, 2016), researchers from San Francisco and Kuwait found that CAD/CAM surgical guides are essential for implant placement but wondered if current methods could be improved. They specifically tested the “three-guide technique.” “CAD/CAM surgical guide fabrication is an emerging tool

Calif. toddler dies after dental procedure

A 3-year-old girl died July 16 following a procedure at a dental clinic in California, according to a coroner’s report. The child had been treated at the Dentalbliss dental office in San Ramon, CA, according to a SFGate.com story. The girl was identified as Marvelena Rady of Brentwood, CA, according to the Contra Costa County Coroner’s Office. Paramedics who were called to the office found the girl not breathing, Battalion