Health experts call for action to tackle athletes’ poor oral health

Poor oral health affecting elite athletes’ general health and performance shows “no signs of improvement” and must be remedied, according to a consensus statement published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine (September 28, 2014) by University College London (UCL) health experts and sporting bodies. Simple measures such as encouraging better brushing and flossing could provide the same marginal performance gains as expensive physical therapies, according to the authors. The

ADEA president urges action, education on fluoride benefits

It has been called one of the 10 great public health achievements of the 20th century, yet 70 years after its introduction in the U.S., community water fluoridation can no longer be taken for granted. Opponents of fluoridation continue to advocate for the removal of fluoride from water supplies, and they have found some interesting allies. Richard Valachovic, DMD, MPH, president and CEO of the American Dental Education Association. Just

Single-tooth implants and bridges market to hit $4.7B by 2019

The global single-tooth implants and dental bridges market will reach more than $4.7 billion by 2019, up from about $3.3 billion this year, according to a new report from Markets and Markets. The report indicates that this market has experienced significant growth over the past few years with rising incidences of tooth caries and other periodontal conditions, with an overall increase in edentulism globally. As the baby-booming population ages, there

Study of premolar roots finds room for maxillary extractions

The closeness of the roots of the posterior maxillary teeth to the maxillary sinus makes treatment or extraction a challenge in these teeth. Practitioners are rightly concerned with maintaining the border of the maxillary sinus. However, a recent study in the Journal of Endodontics (August 13, 2014) found that, based on the calculated mean distances of almost 200 patients studied, only a few premolars (and also second premolars) present a

Cosmedent makes $141K product donation to NCOHF

Cosmedent has made a product donation totaling more than $141,000 to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy. The contribution will enable the NCOHF Affiliate Network of nonprofit clinical programs to continue to provide vital oral health services to vulnerable children, according to the foundation. “Cosmedent is a long-time supporter of America’s ToothFairy, and we are proud to make this donation in support of their smile-saving work,” stated

Dental Implants

There are several oral infections that can lead to tooth decay and other oral problems. Tooth decay can be solved through several dental treatments that can restore or reconstruct your smile. Your smile is really important, we have learned in a previous post 1 in 2 strangers will first notice your smile; this is just one of the many reasons why a beautiful smile is important. However, sometimes accidents can happen teeth

Study: Potential link between breast cancer genes, salivary gland cancer

The risk of developing salivary gland cancer might be higher in people with mutations in either of two genes associated with breast and ovarian cancers, according to a new study in JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery (September 25, 2014). Although salivary gland cancer is rare in the U.S. (about three cases occurring annually per 100,000 adults in the general population [0.003%]), this retrospective study suggests it occurs 17

DentalEZ offers Facebook sweepstakes

DentalEZ Group has announced its #MyStarHandpiece Sweepstakes, which is open to all U.S. practicing licensed dentists and hygienists. Currently running on the DentalEZ Group Facebook page, winners of the #MyStarHandpiece sweepstakes have the option to choose between one of two grand prizes: a StarDental high-speed or hygiene handpiece, along with five years of free handpiece repair. The sweepstakes runs through December 31, 2014. To enter, visit the DentalEZ Group Facebook

U.K. seizes huge haul of counterfeit dental equipment

More than 12,000 pieces of counterfeit dental equipment have been seized in the U.K. in the past six months, and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is warning dentists about the danger of buying and using counterfeit and unapproved dental equipment. The illegal products, ranging from drills to radiography systems, were counterfeit copies of major brands or substandard with fake documentation, according to the MHRA. Among the items seized

Top Traditional Monsters

Can you imagine a world without monsters? Who do you consider the top traditional monsters? For our dental clinic in Los Algodones, this is our list of top traditional monsters: Frankenstein In 1818 an English author, Mary Shelley, brought to life two creatures an eccentric scientist Victor Frankenstein and his creation, a grotesque creature commonly refer to as Frankenstein. There are several movies that feature the creature as the villain,

Study: Scientists discover cancer-fighting berry in Australia

Scientists have used an experimental drug produced from the seeds of an Australian rainforest plant to kill head and neck tumors, as well as melanomas, according to a new study in PLoS One (October 1, 2014). The study researchers, led by Dr. Glen Boyle from the QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute in Australia, found that a single injection of the protein kinase C-activating (PKC) compound EBC-46 led to rapid breakdown of

Review of guidelines can calm Ebola fears

With recent news of two Texas healthcare workers becoming infected with the Ebola virus after treating a patient from Liberia, Ebola virus disease (EVD) was a major topic of discussion at last week’s ADA 2014 annual meeting and throughout the dental community. As dentists and other healthcare practitioners are being queried by their patients about their infection-control procedures and EVD, in particular, a review of the ADA and Centers for