Ariz. bill would increase oversight of mobile dental services

Arizona is considering a bill designed to provide more oversight of mobile dental service providers who provide prophys, irreversible procedures, and other dental treatment for children at the kids’ schools. State Rep. Doris Goodale (R-District 5) has introduced HB 2426, which would require double parental notification before a mobile dental unit can provide treatment to children: one for routine cleanings and sealants, and a second for irreversible procedures such as

Study IDs esophageal cancer’s molecular signature

A probe of the DNA of esophageal adenocarcinomas (EACs) reveals that many share a distinctive mix-up of letters of the genetic code and more than 20 mutated genes that had not previously been linked to the disease, according to a new study in Nature Genetics (March 24, 2013). The research, led by scientists at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, the Broad Institute, and other research centers, may offer clues to why EAC

Oral health grant to help Hawaiian mothers, kids

A $100,000 grant has been awarded to an oral health program on Maui to help native Hawaiian mothers and children. The grant from the Hawaii Medical Service Association (HMSA) Foundation to the program at the University of Hawai’i Maui College (UHMC) will provide educational sessions and oral health screenings in the community, according to a story on Mauinow.com. The program will also provide an opportunity for UHMC students to get

J. Morita releases TwinPower Turbine handpiece

J. Morita has introduced the TwinPower Turbine Basic handpiece, which offers several of the features of the original TwinPower product line. The handpiece’s cutting efficiency remains equal to the standard head with the same double-impeller rotor design that produces power and torque of up to 22 watts, the company noted. A pressurized air system prevents suck back in the air line, which controls infection. Other features include ceramic bearings, rapid

Denture care brochure offered in Spanish, English

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) has published a patient brochure in two languages to help consumers learn how to care for their dentures. The brochure was published in Spanish and English through a grant from GlaxoSmithKline. Today, 33 million Americans have no teeth, according to the ACP. Patients of all ages are in urgent need of dentures due to car accidents, hockey injuries, bone loss, cancer treatment, dental caries,

Noninvasive oral cancer test eases patient fears

A new, noninvasive cytology test for oral cancer, ClearPrep OC, is being offered free to dentists. The test, aimed at “watch and wait” lesions, is less expensive than biopsies and less frightening for patients, according to Resolution Biomedical, the company that is commercializing it. The chairside oral cancer test — which can be ordered directly from the company — is designed to be a diagnostic option for assessing lesions when

Studies support efficacy of light-accelerated tooth movement

Two studies being presented this week at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in Seattle lend support to the clinical efficacy and safety of the Biolux Research light-accelerated orthodontics technology. In the first, a team of researchers from University of Alabama at Birmingham; Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand; and private practices in North America evaluated the effect of the photobiomodulation device on the rate of tooth movement during

Shared dental visits work well with infants, toddlers

Shared dental visits in certain instances can serve dentists and their patients better than traditional one-on-one visits, according to research conducted by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the Cambridge Health Alliance in Massachusetts. The results of a pilot project that used shared dental visits for preventing early childhood caries (ECC) will be presented as a poster this week at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in

Cancer drug shortages lead to higher costs

Drug shortages are taking a toll on cancer patients in the U.S., forcing treatment changes and delays, and causing more therapy-related complications and higher costs, according to a new study in the American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy (April 1, 2013, Vol. 70:7, pp. 609-617). A national survey of health professionals conducted by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, TN, queried oncology pharmacists and others involved in managing cancer drug

Vita adds to Vitapan Plus anterior teeth line

Vita has added new shades and moulds to its Vitapan Plus anterior teeth line. The Vitapan Plus anterior range is now available for the entire Vita classical A1-D4 shade range (except B1) and the entire Vita 3D-Master shade system, according to the company. The tooth line is available in 18 anterior sets for the upper jaw and six anterior sets for the lower jaw, and can be combined with Vita

Test may overestimate dental amalgam exposure

A common test used to determine mercury exposure from dental amalgam restorations may significantly overestimate the amount of the toxic metal released from these fillings, according to University of Michigan researchers (Environmental Science & Technology, March 20, 2013). Scientists agree that dental amalgam fillings slowly release mercury vapor into the mouth. But both the amount of mercury released and the question of whether this exposure presents a significant health risk

Survey: Most U.K. parents wait too long for kids’ 1st dental visit

A survey of U.K. parents revealed that 79% wait until their children are older than a year old before taking them to the dentist and 5% wait until their children turn 5. Of the different age groups surveyed, less than half of the 18- to 34-year-olds with children younger than 16 (47%) take their children to the dentist every six months, compared with 75% of the older than 45 age