Optical imaging techniques advance oral cancer detection, diagnosis

More effective detection and diagnosis of oral cancer could result from an advance in noninvasive imaging of epithelial tissue, according to a study in Journal of Biomedical Optics (March 19, 2013). Researchers from Texas A&M University in College Station used confocal microscopy together with fluorescence lifetime imaging (FLIM) to noninvasively evaluate structural changes in tissue and molecular changes that take place on a cellular and tissue level. These morphological and

UF provides pediatric dental sedation training

The University of Florida (UF) College of Dentistry in Gainesville is helping pediatric dentists get specialized training in dental sedation and office emergency preparedness. During two courses in April, 70 dentists learned about evolving sedation practice guidelines that are critical to the safety and welfare of pediatric dental patients, and earned certification in advanced cardiac life support, the university noted in a press release. Part of the training was held

Voters reject water fluoridation in Portland, Ore.

Voters in Portland, OR, definitively rejected water fluoridation May 21 for the fourth time in the city’s history since 1956 with a 60%-40% split, the Oregonian reported. Last September the city council unanimously approved a plan to add fluoride by March 2014. But fluoridation opponents subsequently gathered more than 30,000 signatures to force a referendum, and the city council decided it was in the public interest to schedule the vote

Kerox joins IdentAlloy materials verification program

Labs sourcing zirconium oxide blanks and blocks from Kerox Dental will now have the products’ content verified through the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council’s materials certification program, the company announced. This will assist labs in maintaining their own product quality while providing dentists, their patients, and insurers with documentation to help assure them that the advanced Kerox materials they ordered were those that were used in the restoration. Each order from Kerox Dental

Can primary care physicians help prevent dental caries?

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force this week released a draft evidence report and draft recommendation statement on how primary care physicians can help prevent dental caries in young children (birth through age 5 years). The draft recommendation includes two ways that primary care clinicians can help prevent dental caries in young children: Provide fluoride supplements, usually in the form of drops, tablets, or lozenges, to children whose water supply

Who gets more oral cancer exams, smokers or drinkers?

Smokers do not receive oral cancer exams at a rate consistent with their risk of developing oral cancer, according to a new study in the Journal of Public Health Dentistry (May 14, 2013). Researchers from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry used data from the 2008 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to assess whether adult smokers and those with moderate-to-heavy alcohol consumption — both primary risk factors for oral

Listerine ad banned for oral health claim

A U.K. radio advertisement for Listerine stating that “brushing alone isn’t enough” has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) following a complaint that the claim was misleading unsubstantiated, according to a ruling by the ASA. Johnson & Johnson responded by referring to data from a 2009 survey that found high rates of oral health issues among a population sample in which 75% brushed their teeth twice a day

Survey: Most in U.K. prefer dentist for whitening

A survey conducted in the U.K. on behalf of the British Dental Health Foundation found that 72% of those queried were mostly likely to go to the dentist to have their teeth whitened. However, 28% said they would likely skip the dentist for their teeth-whitening treatment and purchase home kits on the Internet or visit beauticians and kiosks instead. When asked who is qualified to carry out the treatment, 25%

Brasseler offers hands-on product experience at trade shows

Brasseler USA has added a new feature to its trade show presence by dedicating a substantial portion of its exhibit booth to the Innovation Station. The feature is designed to give dental professionals a hands-on experience with all available Brasseler products, the company noted in a press release. Dentists can choose from various rotary instruments to trim, adjust, finish, and polish a wide spectrum of restorative materials, including the newest

National Smile Month launches in U.K.

The British Dental Health Foundation’s National Smile Month, the U.K.’s biggest oral health campaign, has begun and runs through June 20. Nearly 2,500 organizations are taking part in the campaign that has a single icon this year, the “smiley.” It will be featured on local dental practices, education centers, shopping centers, and sports teams. The campaign has the backing of platinum sponsors Listerine, Oral-B, and Wrigley. Philips, Lloyds Pharmacy, Argos,

Procter & Gamble sues CAO Group

Procter & Gamble (P&G) has filed a lawsuit against CAO Group alleging that CAO is violating P&G’s intellectual property by manufacturing and selling its Sheer White, Sheer FluorX, and Sheer DesenZ products. The lawsuit is intended to protect P&G’s investment in its Crest Whitestrips products, the company noted in a press release. However, CAO Group claims that it developed and innovated its own proprietary technology used in the Sheer White,

Leaders in Dentistry: Dr. Ezra Cohen

HuangshanDental.com is pleased to present the next installment of Leaders in Dentistry, a series of interviews with researchers, practitioners, and opinion leaders who are influencing the practice of dentistry. We spoke with Ezra Cohen, MD, an associate professor of medicine and the co-director of the head and neck cancer program at the University of Chicago, and the associate director for education at the university’s Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Cohen specializes in