Study: MuGard eases oral mucositis symptoms

MuGard has been shown to reduce mouth and throat soreness associated with oral mucositis, according to a poster presented by Access Pharmaceuticals at the American Society for Radiation Oncology meeting in Atlanta this week. The poster presentation discussed the findings from the company’s postmarketing clinical trial, which evaluated the efficacy of MuGard in controlling symptoms caused by mucositis in 120 patients receiving chemoradiation therapy for the treatment of cancers of

Proton therapy cuts side effects for young HNC patients

The precise targeting and limited dosing of radiation via proton therapy can reduce treatment side effects among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients, according to a new study of pediatric patients presented this week at the American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meeting in Atlanta. Children are especially susceptible to the side effects of radiation therapy, and treating them for head and neck cancers poses an additional challenge due to

Researchers explore new way to treat central sleep apnea

A small implant being studied for the treatment of central sleep apnea is showing significant promise, according to researchers from the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. William Abraham, MD, director of the university’s division of cardiovascular medicine, presented his group’s finding September 23 at the Heart Failure Society of America’s annual scientific meeting. Unlike the more common obstructive sleep apnea, in which the airway gets blocked during sleep and

HPV-related oropharyngeal cancers up 60% in young adults

The human papillomavirus (HPV) may be to blame for the alarming increase of young adults with oropharyngeal cancer, according to researchers from Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit. The study, which examined the trends in cancers of the base of the tongue, tonsils, soft palate, and pharynx among people 45 years old and younger, was presented at this week’s American Society for Radiation Oncology annual meeting, held September 22-25 in Atlanta.

Eliminating white-spot lesions: Try resin infiltration

Can anything effectively reduce the appearance of white-spot lesions (WSLs) following orthodontic treatment? Yes, resin infiltration, according to a randomized, single-masked clinical trial in the Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA, September 2013, Vol. 144:9, pp. 997-1005). Dental practitioners should warn their orthodontic patients that there’s a 50% chance WSLs will appear, according to a systematic review of studies examining the effectiveness of remineralizing agents in treating WSLs (American

Novel device ‘pressure washes’ oral cavity

An Atlanta dentist has invented a pressure-washing device for teeth and periodontal tissue called CLEARsmile, and now he is raising money to bring it to market. CLEARsmile uses a mouthpiece and microbubble tablets to blast and dissolve bad dental bacteria while cleaning the oral cavity at different angles simultaneously, making it ideal for users with braces, noted inventor Igor Reizenson, DDS, in a press release. Dr. Reizenson participated in the 2007

OSAP offers free hepatitis C prevention tool kit

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) is offering resources to the dental community to help support compliance efforts for safe infection prevention practices. OSAP has developed a free, downloadable hepatitis C tool kit featuring relevant regulations and guidelines, best practices, instructional resources, and patient resources available to its members. Also available are videos in English and Spanish, fact sheets, online training, and many other resources. OSAP is offering

Nanotubes may help implants heal faster, fight infection

Researchers at Michigan Technological University (MTU) are using nanotechnology to improve the form and function of dental implants. Tolou Shokuhfar, PhD, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at MTU and the director of the In-Situ Nanomedicine Laboratory, is working with Cortino Sukotjo, DDS, PhD, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) College of Dentistry on a dental implant with a surface made from titanium dioxide

Good oral health cuts costs of chronic medical conditions

Improving the oral health of people with chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, asthma, and cardiovascular disease can reduce healthcare costs, according to a study by UnitedHealthcare. The March 2013 study compared the medical and pharmacy costs of individuals with six chronic medical conditions with the dental treatment they received to determine if there is a difference in total healthcare costs associated with varying dental treatments. The dental treatments included

Poll: Few adults seek 2nd opinion for dental work

A majority of Americans won’t hesitate to get a second opinion for vehicle repairs, yet only 19% said they sought a second opinion for a medical condition, 17% for a medical procedure, and just 6% for dental work, according to an online poll conducted on behalf of Align Technology. The poll revealed that 70% of respondents would seek a second opinion for a major home repair and/or improvement, more than

FDA to regulate certain mobile medical apps

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued final guidance for developers of mobile medical applications. The agency intends to exercise enforcement discretion (meaning it will not enforce requirements under the Federal Drug & Cosmetic Act) for the majority of mobile apps as they pose minimal risk to consumers. The FDA intends to focus its regulatory oversight on a subset of mobile medical apps that present a greater risk

Judge orders $1.3M in Medicaid funds returned to dentist

A Texas judge has ordered the state to return $1.3 million that was withheld from Harlingen Family Dentistry (HFD) based on unfounded allegations of fraud on orthodontic Medicaid billings. Travis County Judge Amy Clark Meachum has granted a petition to force the state’s Office of Inspector General (OIG) to return money to the south Texas dental provider, according to a press release. The OIG issued a payment hold in September