A study of more than 90 million claims by Delta Dental found that even insured children are not getting the proper level of preventive dental care. The study found that more than one-third of children ages 6 to 18 are at higher risk for tooth decay, according to Delta Dental. The study’s findings include the following: More than 70% of children ages 6 to 18 are not receiving two fluoride
The ADA has voiced its support for provisions included in a global mercury treaty that uphold the use of dental amalgam. The treaty, signed by a representative of the U.S. on November 6, is pending ratification and is subject to Senate approval. Many other countries signed the treaty in Minamata, Japan, in October; however, the U.S. was unable to do so due to the government shutdown. Unlike other products the
Canadian researchers have identified a protein that can help predict whether a patient will develop oral cancer, according to a recent study in the International Journal of Cancer (October 8, 2013). The protein acts as a biomarker that can help determine whether an oral lesion is likely to become malignant, according to the researchers from the University of Toronto and Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto. The group used proteomics, which
The incidence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) is growing, and the human papillomavirus (HPV) is linked to an increasing number of such cases. Studies show that HPV-positive patients respond better to therapy, and less intensive therapy may be reasonable, according to a recent study in Cancer Treatment Reviews (September 30, 2013). The major risk factors for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma have traditionally included smoking and drinking alcohol.
Sigma Labs has obtained complete assignment interest in its patent on advanced dental implant technology. It supports Sigma’s exclusive marketing agreement with Manhattan Scientifics, according to the company. Sigma’s rapid healing implant creates a surface that can integrate with bone in four to six weeks with reduced inflammation and patient discomfort, the company said.
A Beaumont, TX, orthodontist has been sentenced to federal prison for Medicaid fraud after submitting claims for palatal expanders that were never provided to his patients. Terrence Ewing Syler, DDS, 70, pleaded guilty in June to healthcare fraud and was sentenced to 22 months in federal prison on November 7 by U.S. District Judge Thad Heartfield, according to a U.S. Department of Justice statement. Dr. Syler, who owned and operated Syler
Image Navigation is offering courses on cavity preparation and cutting skills for dental students at its DentSim Lab in New York City over the Thanksgiving weekend. The dental student skills practice center offers dental students simulation technology to practice operative skills with a mannequin and computer-assisted feedback. The upcoming two-hour minicourses enable students to practice cavity preparation at their pace and experience level with on-screen feedback using the DentSim Advanced
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is planning to recommend a more restrictive classification of hydrocodone combination drugs to increase control of the drugs, the agency announced. The decision would mean a reclassification by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) of hydrocodone-containing drug products such as Vicodin from schedule III to the more restrictive schedule II. By early December, the FDA plans to submit its formal recommendation to the
Sales of professional oral care products in the U.S. grew at a 5.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the last three years, according to a new report by Kline & Company. Kline estimated that the U.S. market for professional oral care products used and sold to consumers through dental professional offices in 2013 alone was valued at $426.5 million. Caries remain the leading therapeutic indication within the professional oral
Patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) and human papillomavirus (HPV) are largely unaware of a possible link between the two conditions, according to a new study. Researchers from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston and Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York sought to assess the gaps in knowledge and psychological needs of OPSCC patients with HPV in their study (Oral Oncology, November 2013,
Few experience dentistry the way Conan Murat has. During the last nine years, he has lived and worked as a dental therapist in a remote area of Alaska located 400 miles northwest of Anchorage. He describes his experiences in an article in the November issue of Health Affairs that highlights the extreme end of the access-to-care continuum (November 2013, Vol. 32:11, pp. 2047-2050). In the article, Murat describes the care
Kerr has posted a new infographic about curing lights on its dental blog. Entitled Dental Curing Lights — Behind the Glow, the infographic is a downloadable resource for dentists with facts, statistics, and historical tidbits about curing light technology. Earlier this summer, Kerr conducted a survey via its blog, inviting dental professionals to rate the importance of various aspects of curing lights. The full analysis of the survey results will
