Israel ends water fluoridation

Israel’s Health Minister has prohibited the fluoridation of drinking water against the advice and wishes of other members of her health ministry and previous health minister, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The move drew praise from antifluoridation activists, including the U.S.-based Fluoride Action Network. The organization noted that new regulations, beginning August 26, will end fluoridation in Israel for the 5.3 million residents receiving fluoridated tap water, or about 70% of

Blood, saliva tests help predict HPV-linked HNC recurrence

Johns Hopkins researchers have developed blood and saliva tests that can accurately predict the recurrence of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) linked to human papillomavirus (HPV). Finding HPV DNA in both blood and saliva samples after treatment accurately predicted recurrence 70% of the time in patients. The researchers investigated the role of HPV type 16 (HPV16) DNA detection as a biomarker for OPSCC disease status. Their findings are outlined in

Pediatrics group recommends fluoride to prevent caries

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is continuing to recommend fluoride to prevent dental caries, according to a new report in Pediatrics (August 25, 2014). Fluoridated toothpaste is recommended for all children starting at tooth eruption, regardless of caries risk, according to the report, “Fluoride Use in Caries Prevention in the Primary Care Setting.” The recommendations also include the following: li {margin-bottom:6px;} A smear (the size of a grain of

Protect your Skin, use Sunscreen

Have you ever thought of the dangers you are exposed to every day? Many of us don’t, this is because of the many responsibilities we have in our everyday life, responsibilities that sometimes distract us and cause us to not pay attention to the things happening in our surrounding. For example, in the US there is an estimated 6,420,000 cars involved in an accident, that’s more than 17,500 accidents per

Review weighs new periodontal pathogens

Periodontitis is an infectious disease involving a complex interaction between the oral microorganisms organized in a biofilm structure and the host’s immune response. The disease can lead to the destruction of the tissues that support and protect the tooth. As with any other infection, identification of the microbial pathogens associated with the disease’s etiology is the first step toward developing effective therapeutic approaches. In the first systematic review that assessed

Feds audit La. Medicaid billings for pediatric dental services

A federal audit has concluded that 27 Louisiana dental providers treating children on Medicaid have excessive billing practices. These providers may be billing for services that were never performed, performing unnecessary procedures to increase profits, or providing questionable quality of care, according to a report released Wednesday by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Health and Services. The analysis was based on Louisiana Medicaid fee-for-service

Study: Coffee may fight periodontal disease

Researchers at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine wanted to know if, since coffee contains antioxidants and antioxidants fight periodontal disease, does it follow that coffee helps fight periodontal disease? Their results were published in a new study in the Journal of Periodontology (August 2014, Vol. 85:8, pp. 1042-1049). Nathan Ng, DMD. “We found that coffee consumption did not have an adverse effect on periodontal health,

Study finds steep decline in edentulism

Edentulism has declined dramatically among affluent Americans but less so among low-income households, according to a new study in the Journal of Dental Research (August 21, 2014). The study by the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR) charted edentulism over the last century and highlighted the numbers of people losing teeth and requiring dentures. Gary Slade, DDPH, PhD. Lead researcher Gary Slade, DDPH, PhD, a professor in the

AG Neovo Dental launches air-driven handpieces

AG Neovo Dental will introduce a new series of air-driven dental handpieces at the upcoming 2014 ADA meeting in San Antonio in October. The Evolve Series includes high-performance handpieces with compatible air motors and couplings, according to the company. The ergonomically designed, lightweight, high-speed handpieces utilize ceramic ball bearings for greater cutting efficiency and minimal noise. The tip of the Enduro Chuck is made of tungsten carbide to protect it

FDA clears TMJ NextGeneration device

TMJ Health has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its TMJ NextGeneration device for reducing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) pain. TMJ NextGeneration device for reducing TMJD pain. Image courtesy of TMJ Health. The device consists of two custom-made, hollow ear canal inserts that allow the passage of sound and are nearly invisible from the outside, according to the company. The ear canal is located close to

All about Deep Cleaning and it’s importance

There are several areas in our body that need extra protection; among them are our kidneys, lungs, heart, and brain. Other areas that need protection include our eyes, teeth, hands, and/or feet. Thanks to the advancements in technology, surgical or non-surgical procedures have become easier and safer than ever before. Having healthy gums is important; remember that our gums are an essential organ for maintaining and holding teeth in their

JADA study: Dentists need to be better informed about sealants

Sealants are an inexpensive and effective item in the dentist’s toolkit, but there is room for improvement. While dentists have the right attitude about them, questions about their knowledge of how to use them arose in a new study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association (August 2014, Vol. 145:8, pp. 849-855). “Most of the study participants had adopted the use of dental sealants into their clinical practices