The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) released a policy brief in late April detailing the state of the dental safety net in the U.S. The paper highlights access-to-care issues, perhaps contributing to the 16% increase in the number of emergency room visits for dental-related problems from 2006 to 2009. The policy brief summarized some of the findings of a March 2015 ADEA white paper, “Examining America’s Dental Safety Net.” The
Advantage Silver Dental Arrest and Elevate Oral Care have launched Advantage Arrest silver diamine fluoride (SDF) 38% in the U.S. Elevate is the exclusive distributor of Advantage Arrest, which has recently been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. According to the company’s website, Advantage Arrest: Provides immediate relief from dentinal hypersensitivity. Kills pathogenic organisms. Hardens softened dentin, making it more acid- and abrasion-resistant. Will not stain sound dentin
Mexico offers us many cultural areas, moments, and events; among them is 5 de Mayo. Last year, did a post in which we explained the Battle of Puebla. Curiously this date is often confused with Mexico Independence Day, but the battle of Puebla is not only a holiday that commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French or that established national unity and patriotism. 5 de Mayo also involves many traditions. Languages
SAN FRANCISCO – QuickSplint is showing its multipurpose, custom-fit, interim bite plane this week at the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry’s (AACD) 31st Annual Scientific Session. The product, also called QuickSplint, is an interim solution that shields teeth and dental work from parafunctional teeth clenching. This allows the pericranial musculature to relax overnight, according to the company. “I am using QuickSplint for cosmetic cases,” said John Weston, DDS, a course
Dear DrBicuspid Member, You know those cards in hotel bathrooms that ask you to reuse your towels? Social psychologists found a way to increase the number of towels that were reused. The Madow Brothers explain how this was done and, more importantly, how you can use the technique to grow your practice. In his latest Naked Dentist column, Curtis Marshall takes a practice in Wyoming out of its comfort zone
ANAHEIM, CA – In a presentation on May 1 at the California Dental Association’s CDA Presents meeting, periodontist Timothy Donley, DDS, spoke about the increasing awareness of the link between oral healthcare and stroke prevention, and what dentists and hygienists can do to help their patients. Dr. Donley, speaking on the first day of National Stroke Awareness Month, advocated for a new approach in relating this important message to patients. “It
Transoral robotic surgery (TORS) alone could provide better quality of life and outcomes for patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) than treatment with adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, according to a study in JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery (April 2, 2015). In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the da Vinci robotic surgical system (Intuitive Surgical) for use in TORS, a minimally invasive procedure in
Becoming a parent or grandparent for the first time is not an easy task, there are many “terror” that could occur and take new parents by surprise. Thankfully many new parents have their parents to assist them; but when parents have concerns about specific areas, they might need outside assistance. Recently one of our patients visited one of our dental clinics in Los Algodones, he needed information on Baby Bottle
3M ESPE’s Lava Plus high-translucency zirconia is now available in a disk format for open-source milling. The new Lava Plus portfolio, which is available to labs milling 98-mm-diameter disks, includes both Lava Plus zirconia and its shading system, the company said. The disks are available in thicknesses of 14 mm, 18 mm, and 25 mm, and in formats with and without a step. “This introduction gives labs access to one
Microbrush International has announced the acquisition of dental product company DentiSmart, which produces a sectional matrix system used in restorative procedures. “We are excited about the opportunity to add DentiSmart to our growing portfolio of restorative accessories,” said John Frymark, vice president and general manager of Microbrush, in a release. Current DentiSmart customers and vendors will receive updates from DentiSmart and Microbrush in the next few days. Microbrush said there
Endodontic technology developer Sonendo has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the third generation of its Multisonic Ultracleaning system for root canal therapy. The 510(k) clearance expands the use for the GentleWave system to include anterior and premolar cases, in addition to the current molar indication. The minimally invasive technology is designed to use multiple wavelengths of sound to clean the entire root canal
In part 1 of his “Questions we should be asking insurance companies” series, Dr. Jason P. Hirsch asks a series of valid questions about the new pediatric dental plans being sold in public health exchanges under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). The answers to these questions are a natural starting place for any dentist being recruited to participate in a plan’s network. Dr. Hirsch’s overarching question — the one