Week in Review: Denti-Cal expansion woes; endless credentialing forms; no to yes

Dear DrBicuspid Member, What will happen when about 175,000 additional children become eligible to enroll in California’s troubled dental Medicaid program, Denti-Cal? Assistant Editor Theresa Pablos’ series explores the origins of this enrollment expansion and a California oral health stakeholder’s hopes and concerns for the evolving program. Read the first of her two-part series here. Does it feel like the 1993 movie “Groundhog Day” when you’re filling out seemingly endless

Will expansion swamp California’s Denti-Cal program?

On May 16, about 175,000 undocumented children became eligible to enroll in California’s dental Medicaid program, Denti-Cal, for the first time. But will the expansion swamp a program that’s already overloaded and having trouble providing adequate oral healthcare? John Blake, DDS, dental director of the Children’s Dental Health Clinic. A senate bill signed in June 2015 opened California’s Medicaid program to every eligible child in the state, regardless of immigration

OrthoAccel receives 3 new patents

OrthoAccel Technologies has received two new patents from the U.S. and one from China for its vibrating dental devices. The patents cover design elements and ranges of parameters for the company’s AcceleDent device, the company said. The device speeds up orthodontic treatment while reducing associated discomfort. The company holds 13 patents, including the new ones for AcceleDent. The company received $12 million in equity financing in May 2016, which will

A clinician’s journey into the third dimension: Part 4 — Implantology cases

A common treatment in the modern dental practice is replacing a single posterior tooth with a dental implant. I am able to place an implant with confidence and precision in less time than it takes to excavate and fill a two-surface resin restoration or a single rooted endodontic procedure. This happens routinely as I perform computer-assisted guided implantology. Executing a flapless or miniflap-guided implant surgery benefits my patients in a

Henry Schein continues support for kids’ health campaign

Henry Schein is donating $40,000 to support the Promoting a Lifetime of Activity for Youth (PLAY) campaign for the fourth consecutive year. The PLAY campaign educates children about the importance of routine dental and medical visits, staying active, and eating right. The donation will support 24 PLAY events, which take place in Major League Baseball stadiums throughout the year. Henry Schein will also provide participating children with backpacks that contain

DentalEZ renews Solmetex partnership

DentalEZ and Solmetex have renewed their partnership to distribute Solmetex’s Hg5 line of amalgam separators. Solmetex has manufactured amalgam separators for more than 15 years. DentalEZ makes RAMVAC vacuums, compressors, and numerous other products.

Shofu adds new line of resin composites

Materials and equipment company Shofu Dental has launched a new line of resin composites. The Beautifil II Gingiva and Enamel resin composites are fluoride-releasing, bioactive, nanohybrid restorative materials in pink and white shades. The shade modules have flexural and compressive strength and maintain color, the company said. The enamel composite for direct anterior restorations is available in four shades that can be layered. The gingiva composite comes in five shades

New Boyd cabinet hides ‘frightening’ dental devices

Dental chair and cabinetry supplier Boyd Industries will launch its Concealed Delivery Unit at this year’s American Association of Pediatric Dentistry meeting (AAPD 2016). The treatment room fixture keeps handpieces and other dental equipment out of sight of young dental patients, while making them accessible to dentists and assistants during procedures, the company said. Serious anxiety, often rooted in negative childhood experiences, prevents many people from seeking preventive care. Experts

New introductory implant CE courses offered

OCO Biomedical has announced additions to its introductory implant dentistry continuing education (CE) courses. The courses will take place June 2016 through November 2016 at various locations throughout the U.S. Registration is also open for two educational events in July, approved by the Academy of General Dentistry’s Program Approval for Continuing Education (AGD PACE), to be held in New Mexico.

Why Is Mexico the Best Option to Get Dental Implants?

Smiling is everybody’s best feature, but when one or more teeth are missing sometimes we limit ourselves to only grin. Dental implants are your best option to get your smile back, they can be used to replace a single tooth, several teeth, or all of the teeth. The goal of dental implants is not only to restore the function of your teeth, it’s also to give you a smile to

New bridge allows dentist, not patient, removal

Dental Evolutions has introduced an implant-supported bridge that can be removed by a dentist but not by a patient. The bridge, called the Fridge, uses precision-fit machine parts and flexible titanium alloys, according to the company. The product can be removed, and reinserted, within 10 seconds by the dentist for cleaning and examination.

Week in Review: Calif. hygienist group battles ADHA; retirement strategies; office design tips

Dear DrBicuspid Member, The largest state hygienists’ group in the U.S. is threatening to leave the parent organization, the American Dental Hygienists’ Association. The California Dental Hygienists’ Association says a proposed charter agreement imposes significant new obligations but no new benefits. You can read Features Editor Donna Domino’s story here. Also this week on HuangshanDental.com, Corinne Jameson-Kuehl, RDH, writes about retirement strategies. Is it time to bring in an associate?