Wash. leads U.S. in preventive dental care for poor kids

Washington state is the leading provider of preventive dental care to children, with more than 54% of Medicaid-eligible preschoolers and younger children getting oral care, according to the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Some of the credit for this goes to Access to Baby and Child Dentistry (ABCD), a program that provides oral healthcare for Washington’s Medicaid-eligible young children, according to a press release. ABCD leverages public/private partnerships

Cannabinoids may offer hope for oral cancer pain

Cannabinoids may offer hope for oral cancer pain, according to a presentation at the recent American Pain Society (APS) annual meeting in Tampa, FL. A new cannabinoid-based medication may have some promise for providing meaningful pain relief, according to a lecture by Brian Schmidt, DDS, MD, PhD, a professor at the New York University College of Dentistry and School of Medicine. “Oral cancer is one of the most painful and

CDA provides $1.5M in dental services during 2-day clinic

There were already about 500 people waiting on a cool, rainy morning when Gary Glasband, DDS, arrived at 4:45 a.m. for the California Dental Association’s (CDA) recent CDA Cares free dental clinic in Vallejo, CA. Dr. Glasband, a Long Beach, CA, dentist and member of the CDA Cares management committee, was one of nearly 1,800 volunteer dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, nurses, and lab technicians who provided $1.5 million in dental services

Study: Few kids receive dental care before 1st birthday

Of healthy urban children surveyed in Toronto, less than 1% had received dental care by the recommended age of 12 months and less than 2% had seen a dentist by the age of 24 months, according to a new study in Pediatrics (May 5, 2014). In addition, of the more than 2,500 children around age 4 who were surveyed from 2011-2013, almost 40% had never been to a dentist. According

How you Can Restore your Smile with Dental Crowns

There’s nothing more annoying than not being able to do simple things like eating, talking, or drinking water. Toothache is not something to take lightly and if pain increases it’s necessary to visit your dentist to give you a diagnosis. One of the most common causes of toothache is cracked teeth, which means that a crown on the affected tooth is needed. But what to do when the procedures are

Mother’s Day

Most of us have a special someone in our life; some even have more than one special person in their life. One of the most important persons in our life is our Mother. Why? There are multiple reasons, why our mother is a significant person in our life. Let’s keep in mind that the maternal figure is so important, that she even has her own day; Mothers’ Day, a celebration

5 de Mayo

The Mexican date, which commemorates the Battle of Puebla, curiously this date is often confused with Mexico’s Independence Day. However, Mexico’s Independence Day is celebrated on September 16. For Mexicans this date is not as important as it is for Americans. For some reason, 5 Mayo has taken a deeper significance for Mexican-Americans, Americans and even Canadians, than for Mexicans. The Events / The History Imagine you are in your

New photoactive molecule for dental filling material hardens faster

Austrian researchers have developed a new generation of photoactive materials for dental filling material that hardens faster than traditional dental composites. Researchers at the Vienna University of Technology (TU Wienn), in collaboration with Ivoclar Vivadent, have developed a new generation of photoactive composite materials based on the element germanium, according to a university press release. As composites are based on photoactive materials that harden when exposed to light, the light

IdentAlloy/IdentCeram launches redesigned website

The IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council has redesigned its website at IdentAlloy.org, adding a Patients section. The section is for people undergoing restorative procedures and can help them learn why documenting material content can be important to outcomes and their overall oral health. Patients want to know about everything from biocompatibility to material purity to how easy it will be to back up insurance claims, explained Chuck Yenkner, executive director of the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram

Operation Smile removes child’s 4-lb facial tumor

Doctors in Virginia successfully removed a 4-lb tumor from the face of a 15-year-old patient on April 27 as part of Operation Smile’s World Care program. The teen traveled from Haiti for the 12-hour surgery, which was performed by William Magee, DDS, MD, director of cleft lip and cleft palate and craniofacial surgery at Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, and two other Hamptons Roads-based surgeons. 15-year-old Hennglise

Carestream launches new 3D system, digital sensor at AAE meeting

Carestream Dental is launching two new products at this week’s American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Annual Session in National Harbor, MD. The new CS 8100 3D imaging system and the RVG 6200 digital intraoral sensor expand an endodontists’ diagnostic capabilities and streamline daily workflows, according to the company. Building on the technology of the 2D panoramic images provided by the CS 8100, the CS 8100 3D offers 3D imaging and

Finnish researchers find key mutation in jaw tumor

Researchers from Finland have discovered a gene mutation in ameloblastoma, an odontogenic tumor with a high tendency to recur after treatment, as reported in the Journal of Pathology (April 2014, Vol. 232:5, pp. 492-498). Ameloblastoma is most often found in the posterior of the lower jaw. It is treated by surgery, often resulting in tissue deficiencies in the jaw, as well as loss of several teeth. A suitable drug therapy