America’s ToothFairy announces leadership award winners

Five high school students were named as winners of the 2015 Oral Health Youth Leadership Awards. The awards are given by America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation. They recognize U.S. high school students who raise awareness about the importance of children’s oral health and develop positive oral health behaviors. Each winner receives a $300 scholarship. The America’s ToothFairy Youth Programs Team identified the winners based on submitted applications and

Father’s Day Celebration

Can you imagine what your life would be like without the support and help of your father? Many of us have had the opportunity to see how our father has gone to great lengths to be there for us, to see for our sake, to give us an example, to give guidance, and create beautiful and memorable moments with family. This weekend we can all commemorate our parents, grandparents, and

Ala. Supreme Court upholds teeth-whitening law

The Alabama Supreme Court upheld a state law restricting nondentists from offering teeth-whitening products and services. The ruling issued on June 5 affirmed an earlier decision that such services are reasonably related to public health and safety. The case stems from a 2013 lawsuit against the Alabama Board of Dental Examiners by Keith Westphal and Joyce Osborn Wilson, who claimed the law is an unconstitutional attempt by the state’s 3,600

MicroDental acquires Rock Creek Dental Ceramics

Dental laboratory network MicroDental Laboratories has announced the acquisition of Rock Creek Dental Ceramics in O’Fallon, IL. Rock Creek will merge with MicroDental’s Donnell Dental Laboratory, which is also located in O’Fallon. “The acquisition and merger of Rock Creek Dental Ceramics and Donnell creates an excellent platform for future growth,” Bill Johnson, CEO of MicroDental Laboratories, said in a press release. “This partnership immediately provides customers of Donnell and Rock

Week in Review: Aspen settlement; Ala. Supreme Court ruling; 6 tips for male patients

Dear DrBicuspid Member, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman announced a settlement on June 18 with Aspen Dental Management that requires the company to change the way it does business in the state and pay a $450,000 civil penalty. Read our report here. The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld a state law restricting nondentists from offering teeth-whitening products and services. The ruling affirmed an earlier decision that such services

Hu-Friedy introduces orthodontic pliers

Dental instrument and product manufacturer Hu-Friedy said it has introduced new orthodontic step pliers. The pliers will allow clinicians to create z-bends in arch wire, according to the company. The step pliers’ double-sided offset beaks create a right-hand or left-hand step-up or step-down in wire at 0.5-, 0.75-, or 1-mm intervals. Z-bends created by step pliers help clinicians extrude or intrude teeth, and the bend can also change a tooth’s

Healthy Back – SDG Assists

A few days ago your friend move to his new apartment, he is very excited and ask you for help to move some boxes. The boxes are heavy and soon your back begins to hurt and to make matters worse, soon you will make a long drive. In a few days you will visit your parents, this fills you with trepidation at the idea that you will spend hours sitting.

6 tips for your male patients’ oral health

We know that many men go the extra mile when it comes to taking care of their families and their careers; however, according to the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD), they are less likely to take care of their oral health needs. George Koumaras, DDS, is the national dental director for Anthem. Since June is the month where Americans pay special tribute to men — fathers in particular — this

Minn. teen dies after third-molar surgery

A 17-year-old girl in Eden Prairie, MN, died on June 15 after an apparent cardiac arrest while being sedated to have her third molars removed on June 9. Sydney Galleger’s “blood pressure shot up and her pulse dropped” during the procedure, according to her mother, as quoted in a CBS News.com story. The dentist immediately began CPR as 911 was called. The girl was transferred to the University of Minnesota

Delta Dental survey: 42% of pregnant women not seeing dentist

A new survey from Delta Dental found that 42.5% of pregnant women in the U.S. aren’t visiting their dentist. Delta Dental reminds women who are pregnant or planning to become pregnant to visit a dentist for routine examination, cleanings, and guidance about specific oral health issues that may occur during pregnancy. When visiting the dentist, pregnant women should ask about the following issues and concerns: “Why do my gums bleed

Pa. releases opioid guidelines for dentists

Pennsylvania’s Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) and Department of Health have released guidelines for prescribing opioids for acute or chronic head and orofacial pain. The guidelines, “Pennsylvania Guidelines on the Use of Opioids in Dental Practice,” are intended to improve patient outcomes and avoid potential adverse outcomes associated with the use of opioids to treat pain, according to the departments. “In the past 15 years, Pennsylvania and the

AACD foundation honored for Give Back A Smile program

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s (AACDCF) Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program has been awarded a Power of A Gold Award by the American Society of Association Executives. The GBAS program assists adults who have suffered dental injuries from domestic and sexual violence in rebuilding their smiles. According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, 1 in 4 women will experience domestic violence, and 75% of battering