New AAPD campaign promotes early checkups for kids

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) has unveiled a new campaign designed to educate parents and caregivers on the need for early checkups and regular oral care for children. Carrying the new tagline, “America’s Pediatric Dentists, The Big Authority on Little Teeth,” the new consumer branding initiative is the start of a consumer-focused effort that will include a broad awareness campaign launching in 2014. That awareness effort will be

Pancreatic cancer biomarkers found in saliva

Cellular signals found between pancreatic cancer tumors and saliva support the validity of salivary diagnostics, according to a new study in Journal of Biological Chemistry (September 13, 2013, Vol. 288:7, pp. 26888-26897). Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest forms of cancer; most patients with the disease will die within the first year of diagnosis, and only 6% survive for five years. The disease is typically diagnosed through an invasive

Study: Free HNC screenings have positive impact

Offering free head and neck cancer (HNC) screenings annually to communities offers the possibility of early detection and the opportunity to increase the understanding of cancer risk factors. That’s according to a new study from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, which found that people who attended free HNC screenings in urban cities were more likely to be African-American, current smokers, and have a history of treatment for other cancers than

EPA denies fluoridation petition

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has declined a petition to change the source of fluoride in U.S. drinking water. The petition, which sought a regulatory change of fluoride agents in drinking water, “provides no information that would cause EPA to question the current approach,” the EPA stated in a notice published in the August 12, 2013, Federal Register, a digest of government regulatory activity. The EPA regulates fluoridation under

Small Smiles wins 1st case alleging mistreatment of kids

A jury has found that Small Smiles dentists did not perform unnecessary dental procedures on a young boy at one of the chain’s clinics in New York. The judge found that corporate ownership of the clinics was illegal under state law, but the jury found no liability by the company or the dentists. The case involved Jeremy Bohn, who received four root canals and crowns, seven fillings, two extractions, and

Sonendo makes $50K pledge to AAE Foundation

Sonendo has made a $50,000 pledge to the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Foundation for the advancement of endodontic education and research in oral health. The donation will help fund educational grants for future endodontists, as well as research projects that generate new clinical data. Sonendo is a privately held, venture-backed company developing technologies for endodontic therapy.

LSU gets $3M to study HIV-related changes to oral bacteria

Louisiana State University (LSU) researchers have been awarded a $2.76 million grant that will enable them to study how HIV and antiretroviral therapy may change communities of bacteria in the mouth, and what effects those changes may have on oral infections in HIV disease. Paul Fidel, PhD, of the LSU Health Sciences Center School of Dentistry, is the lead principal investigator for the study, which was funded for five years by

Anticoagulation therapy reduces clot risk for HNC patients

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients who are hospitalized after surgery and do not receive anticoagulation therapy have an increased risk of blood clots, according to a study in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. However, the patients who received anticoagulation therapy had higher rates of bleeding complications than those who did not get such therapy, noted a research team led by Daniel Clayburgh, MD, PhD, from the Oregon Health and

Report on oral health finds many states failing U.S. seniors

A new report details the shortcomings of many U.S. states in providing oral healthcare options for older Americans. Seventeen states received a “poor” rating by the report, an ominous sign for the baby boomer generation. The report by Oral Health America (OHA), entitled “A State of Decay,” blamed “limited access to dental insurance, affordable dental services, community water fluoridation, and programs that support oral health prevention and education,” as the

Survey: Dentists favor restorative materials certification

A survey of U.S. dentists found that more than 91% of respondents favor the certification of the composition and ADA classification of the restorative materials they prescribe. More than 97% said they would favor dental labs that included free materials certification with every case they ship. The survey was conducted by the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council, an industry nonprofit organization that provides participating suppliers with certificates attesting to the composition and ADA

Heraeus Kulzer launches xantasil alginate substitute

Heraeus Kulzer has launched xantasil, its new alginate substitute, in the North American market. The medium-viscosity, addition-curing silicone is an alternative to traditional alginates for taking impressions for temporaries, orthodontic models, splints, and opposing jaw models, according to the company. It is specifically designed for the requirements of taking anatomical impressions and long-term dimensional and storage stability. Use of xantasil requires light drying of the tooth surface prior to placing

Dos and don’ts for increasing cosmetic production

Increasing cosmetic case acceptance Even in this economy, patients will still say “yes” to cosmetic and elective treatment. In fact, as more people change careers and go on job interviews, there could be an uptick in demand for whitening and other cosmetic services. The question is — will your case presentation persuade them to say “yes” to treatment? It will if you do certain things right. Show the power of