Study: Dental professionals view periodontics differently

Is the primary focus of a modern-day periodontal practice the preservation of natural teeth or has it shifted to the placement of aesthetically pleasing and functional implants? A new study that surveyed periodontists, hygienists, and general practitioners about the scope of periodontics found that most agreed surgical treatment of advanced gum and bone infection is the most important therapeutic focus of being a periodontist, but there was disagreement over the

Judge allows LED lights for teeth-whitening businesses in Conn.

A federal judge has ruled that teeth-whitening businesses in Connecticut can use LED lights that activate the peroxide used to whiten teeth, but customers must position them for themselves. The March 28 decision by U.S. District Judge Michael Shea allows two businesses to reopen after being closed by the state, according to an Associated Press story. But the judge ruled that the state may limit the practice of positioning the

Dentists are an important ally against child abuse

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and Delta Dental member companies are supporting their local Prevent Abuse and Neglect through Dental Awareness (P.A.N.D.A.) programs. The focus of the program is to train dentists to recognize and report suspected cases of abuse or neglect in their young patients. Delta Dental of Missouri partnered with the Missouri Bureau of Dental Health to found the first P.A.N.D.A coalition, and the program has

Affordable Dental Health

Imagine you live in a country that has it all. You have your home, nice roads, good schools, hospitals and nice restaurants. So why travel to another place? What are the benefits? Well imagine what you will see in another place; will you have the same things, will there be hospitals, roads, restaurants or schools? To find the best answer let’s see we are missing. Maybe the country that “has

Report: NY paid $13.2M for questionable Medicaid services

Some 23 New York state general dentists and six orthodontists received $13.2 million in Medicaid payments in 2012 for services that appeared unnecessary or may not have been performed at all, according to a new report by federal health investigators. The 29 providers received “extremely high payments per child; provided an extremely large number of services per child; or provided certain selected services, such as pulpotomies or extractions, to an

Researchers reverse bone loss in immune disorder

Researchers have demonstrated a method of reversing bone loss and inflammation for patients with leukocyte adhesion deficiency (LAD). Leukocyte adhesion deficiency is a rare but life-threatening disease. Patients can succumb to bacterial infections because their immune systems lack a molecule required by immune cells, neutrophils, to go to the site of infection. These patients often lose their teeth early in life, and the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine

Review confirms triclosan/copolymer effectiveness

A research review performed by the Cochrane Collaboration has found that toothpaste containing triclosan/copolymer is effective in reducing plaque, gingivitis, bleeding gums, and tooth decay. Cochrane Review’s Oral Health Group evaluated 30 studies involving nearly 15,000 patients from 1990 to 2012, and compared fluoride toothpastes containing triclosan/copolymer with traditional fluoride toothpastes for the long-term control of caries, plaque, and gingivitis in both children and adults. Entitled “Triclosan/copolymer containing toothpastes for

U.K. water fluoridation cuts hospitalizations for tooth decay

A new U.K. report has found that children living in areas with water fluoridation have less tooth decay and fewer hospitalizations than those living in areas without water fluoridation. As many as 45% fewer children ages 1 to 4 in fluoridated areas, where the level of fluoride is 1 part per million, are hospitalized for tooth decay — primarily to have the teeth extracted under general anesthesia — than in

Gene expression signature can be used to classify gum disease

Researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC) have devised a new system for classifying periodontal disease based on the genetic signature of affected tissue, rather than on clinical signs and symptoms (Journal of Dental Research, March 19, 2014). The new classification system, the first of its kind, may allow for earlier detection and more individualized treatment of severe periodontitis, before loss of teeth and supportive bone occurs, according to the

U-M to host free kids dental clinic in April

The University of Michigan (U-M) School of Dentistry will offer free treatment to 100 children on April 5. Kids between the ages of 5 and 14 will be treated on a first-come, first-served basis at the university’s School of Dentistry as part of the ADA’s Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) program. They will receive free dental cleanings, x-rays, sealants, fillings, and extractions from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Second Opinion: Dental amalgam is safe and effective

Editor’s note: Second Opinion is a feature where dental leaders and opinion makers have a forum to express their positions on topics relevant to the practice of dentistry. HuangshanDental.com does not take an editorial position on these issues, but we do believe all sides of an issue should have an opportunity to be heard and discussed. We invite you to express your opinion in our Forums or submit a Second

Jury awards $3M in Topamax cleft palate case

A Philadelphia jury has awarded $3 million to the family of a 5-year-old girl born in 2009 with bilateral cleft palate and lip after her mother took Topamax (topiramate) for headaches during her pregnancy. The March 7 verdict concluded that Janssen Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of Johnson & Johnson, failed to include warning labels about Topamax’s risk for birth defect injuries such as cleft palate on the drug’s label, according to