A North Carolina appeals court has overturned a previous decision in the case of a negligence lawsuit filed after man’s death following dental surgery in 2008, according to an Associated Press news story. Two of the three judges on the Court of Appeals panel did not side with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, two dentists, and others in the case of Robert Webb III. Wake died two days after
Dental fluorosis may not have a significant impact on the functionality of teeth, but it can be a major issue in patients’ minds. The treatment options for nonsevere cases of fluorosis should be both minimally invasive and cost-effective, according to the researchers of a new study. To help clinicians decide which treatment to employ that fits these criteria, researchers at the Federal University of Paraiba and the Federal University of
The ADA’s Council on Scientific Affairs has updated its guidance for caregivers on the use of fluoride toothpaste for children. Now, the organization is stating that children’s teeth should be brushed with fluoride toothpaste as soon as the first tooth comes in. This new guidance expands the use of fluoride toothpaste for young children. The new guidance is intended to provide children with the full benefit of cavity protection while
The rate of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) has increased alarmingly among young adults, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) may be to blame, according to a new study in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (January 22, 2014). Between 1973 and 2009, OPSCC — which includes the base of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and pharynx — increased by 60% among people younger than age 45, according to researchers at
A new global survey highlights how dental care in the school environment is helping to ensure a healthy life and social equality in dental health — even in developing countries. The survey was conducted by the University of Copenhagen and the World Health Organization (WHO). “Children in Scandinavia generally have healthy teeth and gums, largely on account of dental care in schools for all children, the arrival of fluoride toothpaste
The sixth annual Sedation Safety Week, beginning on March 17, will focus on children and teens. This year, five $1,000 educational scholarships will be awarded to dentists who work in the nonprofit sector to facilitate their ability to receive advanced training in pediatric safety. The scholarships come from DOCS Education, the sedation week organizer. During the week, dentists and their team members throughout the U.S. are encouraged to review every
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen have helped a large group of patients with diabetes improve their oral health by using health coaching. The research findings were published in the Clinical Oral Investigations (December 2013). People with diabetes are at a higher risk of having oral health problems, such as periodontitis, caries, dry mouth, fungal infections, and poor wound healing. The study, which included 186 patients with type 2 diabetes,
Jensen Dental has released Jensen PMMA millable provisional material, a frame-based product for use with the Preciso Digital Dentistry Solution’s M200 mill and other 3M ESPE Lava materials approved mills, including the Lava Form and Preciso M500. PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate) is used to fabricate temporary dental restorations for a wide range of cases, including more complex indications such as implants or large-span bridges. It is available in 20-mm-thick frames and
Ritter Dental USA will introduce an expanded line of handpieces at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, held February 20-22. The line features air-driven high-speed, low-speed, and fiber-optic-equipped options and includes varous accessories, such as replacement motors, prophy heads, quick-connect couplers, nose cones, and contra angles. Ritter handpieces are covered by a one-year warranty, and attachments such as nose cones and contra angles are covered by a 90-day warranty. Dental clinicians can
S-R Tek, a new dental products distributor based in Delaware, will sell a line of small dental equipment, including high- and low-speed handpieces. The company will launch its first products this year. The company will begin to hire sales representatives in the spring and plans to have a booth at the California Dental Association meeting in May in Anaheim, where its initial product offerings will be displayed. The company’s products
Dentists and oral health advocates in Kansas are pushing back against an effort to require cities that put fluoride in their water supplies to notify residents that fluoride lowers the IQ in children. Kansas Dental Association Director Kevin Richardson pointed out that fluoride reduces tooth decay and has been proved safe, according to an AP story. State Rep. Steve Brunk (R-District 85) has introduced a bill requiring the IQ notification,
Obese patients face significantly higher odds of dying from early-stage squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue, according to a new study in the journal Cancer. Cancer researchers from the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center and Weill Cornell Medical College in New York have found the first-ever link between obesity and diminished survival in any head and neck cancer (Cancer, January, 21, 2014). In earlier studies, obesity has been associated with a
