Kan. mediation over MLPs ends without agreement

Deliberations aimed at resolving a dispute over whether to allow midlevel dental practitioners (MLPs) in Kansas have ended without agreement. Negotiations between the Kansas Dental Association (KDA), which opposes MLPs because it says they jeopardize patient care, and the Kansas Dental Project (KDP) ended without compromise, according to a Kansas Health Institute story. The KDP has pushed for legislation to allow advanced hygienists to perform routine procedures such as temporary

U.S. implant market hit $979M in 2012

The U.S. market for dental implants and final abutments was valued at nearly $979 million in 2012, driven by the growing number of general dentists offering implant treatments, according to a market research report from Reportbuyer.com. The market includes dental implants, final abutments, dental implant instrument kits, and computer-guided surgery products, according to the research firm. The market is expected to maintain moderate growth rates as the number of dental

MOM clinic treats more than 800 at ADA 2013

More than 800 New Orleans residents received cleanings, restorative and specialty care, dentures, and x-rays during the ADA’s Mission of Mercy (MOM) charity dental clinic, which was held during the group’s annual meeting. More than 1,100 dentists, dental team members, and others volunteered for the clinic, which was held in the warehouse where Mardi Gras parade floats are made every year, according to the ADA. People began lining up outside

Many HNC patients are malnourished when diagnosed

Some 35% to 60% of all patients with head and neck cancers (HNC) are malnourished when they are diagnosed, according to a new study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (November 2013, Vol. 71:11, pp. 1853-1860). The problem is the result of intake obstruction caused by the patient’s tumor, the lack of appetite, and loss of muscle mass and fat stores associated with the cancer, the researchers wrote

Panel creates dental therapist education standards

A panel of academic experts has developed a set of evidence-based national standards for education programs that train midlevel providers (MLPs), also known as dental therapists, in the U.S. The recommendations, which build on curriculum guidelines for MLP education established by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry in 2010, also come as the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation has released proposed accreditation standards for public comment. Some

Sinsational Smile gets eco-friendly seal

The Sinsational Smile in-office teeth-whitening system has received the Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA)’s Accepted Seal. Sinsational Smile’s whitening gel contains nontoxic carbamide peroxide with a natural desensitizer to ensure little to no sensitivity for patients, and avoids chemical compounds of concern to many consumers, such as bisphenol A (BPA), titanium dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, and other harmful chemicals, according to the company. The silicone mouth tray used for the 20-minute treatment

ADA: Dentists can help detect diabetes

A dentist can be a valuable member of a patient’s diabetes healthcare team to help check for signs of gum disease and provide tips to patients on how to maintain good oral health, according to the American Dental Association (ADA). Of the 26 million people who have diabetes, an estimated 7 million don’t know that they have the disease, according to the American Diabetes Association. With those figures in mind,

Brush Buddies releases sonic toothbrush

Brush Buddies is now offering its Soniclean Pro line of sonic toothbrushes. Available in three different models, the toothbrushes provide up to 34,000 strokes per minute in whitening mode, and have a built-in two-minute timer that guides users to spend the recommended 30 seconds per quadrant of the mouth when brushing. The Soniclean Pro 5000 comes with four different brush heads. The whitening brush head has special polishing particles on

Most Americans unaware ACA includes kids’ dental care

Most Americans are unaware that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) includes children’s dental services, according to a survey by the Children’s Dental Health Project (CDHP). Some 33% of adults report that someone in the family has a toothache or other dental problem, but many have delayed going to the dentist because of cost. Findings from the survey: Nearly 4 of 10 adults (39%) report delaying a dental

JADA: At-risk patients benefit from topical fluoride

Patients at elevated risk for developing caries benefit from applying prescription fluoride directly to their teeth or having their dentist apply it, according to new recommendations published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (November 1, 2013). Topical fluoride, used in conjunction with drinking optimally fluoridated water and using toothpaste with fluoride, helps prevent caries in these patients, according to the clinical recommendations from a multidisciplinary expert panel convened

Arm & Hammer Spinbrush sponsors Mission of Mercy

Arm & Hammer Spinbrush is sponsoring the Mission of Mercy event that will take place November 3 during the ADA 2013 conference in New Orleans. The free dental clinic will have dentists, hygienists, and volunteers onsite to provide dental services and oral care education to approximately 1,000 Louisiana-area residents in need of dental care, according to Church & Dwight, the maker of Arm & Hammer Spinbrush. As part of its

Ceramics market to grow to $2.3B in 2018

The global medical and dental ceramics market will grow from $1.1 billion in 2013 to $2.3 billion in 2018, according to a market analysis report from NanoMarkets. The report, “Worldwide Medical Ceramics Markets: 2013,” provides an in-depth market analysis of emerging medical and dental market opportunities for alumina, zirconia, silicon ceramics, hydroxyapatite, bioglass, piezoceramics, nanoceramics, and other materials. Ceramics are now widely used in medical and dental applications, including crowns,