Cochrane review supports fluoride varnish for kids

Children whose permanent and baby teeth are treated with fluoride varnish see a noticeable reduction in decayed, missing, and filled tooth surfaces, according to a new systematic review in Cochrane Reviews (July 11, 2013). The review updates the first Cochrane review of fluoride varnishes for preventing dental caries in children and adolescents, which was published in 2002. For this update, the Cochrane Oral Health Group found 22 trials published between

Dental ‘grill’ fad could harm teeth

Pop stars have rekindled the dental gold grill trend favored by hip-hop artists in the 1980s and 1990s, but poorly made versions could hurt those who wear them, according to an article in the Daily Mail. The most desirable grills are made of gold and have jewels embedded in them. But ill-fitting ones, particularly permanent ones, can wear away enamel or rearrange teeth. Oral health practitioners caution that wearing them

Ritter Dental van hits the road for fundraising, education

Dental equipment manufacturer Ritter Dental USA is set to embark on the Ritter Road Show, a dental exhibit scheduled to visit 125 cities throughout the U.S. to celebrate the company’s 125-year anniversary. Each Ritter Road Show event will be hosted at a local venue and will include three basic components: innovation, education, and fundraising. The latest Ritter innovations will be showcased in a dedicated display area, which will include the

NIR camera may help improve HNC patients’ quality of life

As the incidence of oral cancer cases increases, researchers are looking for ways to better treat the disease and also the debilitating side effects that survivors must deal with following surgery and radiation treatments. Toward this end, clinical researcher Ron Karni, MD, and colleagues at the University of Texas Medical School at Houston have come up with a way to visualize how the lymphatic system is affected in head and

C3 Jian completes trial for caries prevention drug

C3 Jian has successfully completed a phase I clinical trial for its C16G2 caries-fighting peptide drug. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included a dose-escalation period, the company explained in a press release. The trial focused on evaluating safety and pharmacokinetics, along with the initial microbiology of C16G2 administered to healthy adults in a single oral dose of mouth rinse. A total of 36 subjects were enrolled in the study. No

RDA offers tips for working with patients with special needs

SAN FRANCISCO – As a dental assistant, Niki Henson, RDA, was confident that she would be able to schedule a dental appointment for her two sons who both have special needs. But she was shocked at the responses she got. Niki Henderson, RDA. Niki Henderson, RDA. “I was turned away from dental offices where I knew the dentist,” Henson, president of Cornerstone Academy in Cypress Texas and a member of

Start-up gets $4.6M to develop craniomaxillofacial material

Tissue Regeneration Systems (TRS) has raised $4.6 million in venture capital funds to develop an implantable, resorbable scaffold to support weight-bearing stretches of bone in the face and mandible. TRS, a start-up with offices in Kirkland, WA, and Ann Arbor, MI, has received financing from Venture Investors of Madison, WI, the University of Wisconsin, the University of Michigan, and a Michigan state venture capital matching fund, according to a story

Nobel Biocare Q2 revenues up slightly

Dental implant maker Nobel Biocare’s second-quarter revenues for 2013 rose 2.3% as its European business grew for the first time in six years. For the quarter (end-March 31), the company reported revenues of $289.4 million euros ($385.6 million U.S.), down 2.4% from $296.5 million euros ($395 million) from the same period last year. Net profit for the quarter dropped to 8 million euros ($10.6 million), compared with profit of 13.7

Calif. man’s death during oral surgery ruled ‘accidental’

A San Diego man who went into cardiac arrest during routine third-molar extractions was given a combination of anesthetics that might have led to his death, according to the coroner’s report. On March 21, 2013, Marek Lapinski, 24, underwent surgery by Steven Paul, DDS, an oral and maxillofacial surgeon in Temecula, CA. In the midst of the procedure, Lapinski began to cough, was administered propofol, and subsequently went into cardiac

Poor oral health linked to cancer-causing oral HPV infection

A new study has found a link between poor oral health and oral human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, which causes 40% to 80% of oropharyngeal cancers (Cancer Prevention Research, August 21, 2013). The study, by researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in Houston, is the first to find an association between poor oral health as an independent risk factor for oral HPV infection, according to a university news

RDH uses online radio to improve healthcare education

Every morning, Monday through Friday, Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, gets to do something she loves: talk on the radio. Her online show, “Cross Link Radio Live,” is celebrating its six-month anniversary this month, and by all appearances this unique program is poised to become a healthcare hit. Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, host of “Cross Link Radio Live.” Shirley Gutkowski, RDH, BSDH, host of “Cross Link Radio Live.” Gutkowski practiced clinical

Dux seeks ugliest bib clip in U.S.

A contest hosted by Dux Dental is inviting dental practitioners to pick the ugliest dental bib clip in America as part of their 5th annual Bib-Eze for Boob-Eze campaign The competition invites members of the public and the dental community to raise money for Mammograms In Action by voting for the ugliest dental bib clip in the U.S. Here are contestants, as created by Dux: Smokey Burns Home state: Colorado