Pano-Vac adds dental retractor/aspirator

Pano-Vac Surgical Instruments has expanded its dental product line with the RetractorPlus and AspiratorPlus. The Pano-Vac retractor/aspirator, designed and patented by Hajarian MD, DDS, eliminates the need for additional suction devices during operations in which retraction and suction are required, according to the company. The Pano-Vac instruments have combined retraction and aspiration with a suction tip that provides a wider range of evacuation to clear up the surgical field faster

Brasseler debuts new endodontic obturation approach

Brasseler USA has introduced EndoSequence BC Sealer, the latest addition to the company’s EndoSequence endodontic obturation system. The BC Sealer incorporates Brasseler’s bioceramic nanotechnology, which has been embraced by the dental community as a revelation for root canal sealing and healing, according to the company. The sealer is biocompatible, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial with no postoperative complications. In addition, unlike conventional sealers on the market, BC Sealer utilizes the moisture naturally

Implantology discussion group celebrates 15th anniversary

Implantology, an email discussion group dedicated to implant dentistry, is celebrating its 15th anniversary. Created in 1998, Implantology has served the dental community by providing an open forum for semimoderated discussion of all phases of implant dentistry, unfettered by conflicts of interest, according to the group. Members are encouraged to post questions, discuss techniques, critique products, examine laboratory methods, and delve into practice management issues or any other areas of

Align Technology offers educational website for Invisalign providers

Align Technology has launched a new interactive website that provides a range of professional education resources for Invisalign providers. The new site is designed to provide a clear educational pathway for doctors of every Invisalign experience level and offers specific, customized content based on their needs. It is part of the Invisalign Doctor Site, a password-protected portal that allows Invisalign providers to manage all aspects of their Invisalign patient care

Study documents head/neck cancer molecular tumor subtypes

A new study has confirmed the presence of four molecular classes of head and neck cancer (HNC), suggesting there may be an underlying connection between the molecular classes and observed genomic events, some of which affect known cancer genes (PLOS One, February 22, 2013). A team led by researchers from the Universities of North Carolina (UNC) analyzed data from DNA microarrays to complete the study, which could pave the way

Legislators question HHS rule on kids’ dental health

U.S. Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Ben Cardin and Rep. Elijah Cummings (all D-MD), are urging the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reconsider its final rule on the children’s dental care provisions to be offered in health exchanges starting in 2014. HHS has weakened the provisions that would guarantee affordable dental coverage for all American children, Sen. Mikulski noted in a news release. “In the United States of

NASCAR extends Give Kids A Smile partnership

The ADA’s Give Kids A Smile program, ADA Foundation, Henry Schein, Care Credit, and 3M ESPE have struck a partnership with NASCAR driver Greg Biffle for the third year to spread oral health awareness to young fans of the sport. Biffle, driver of the No. 16 3M Ford Fusion in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, will help deliver the message to children about healthy habits, such as brushing for two

Smiles abound at Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Chicago certainly lived up to its reputation as the Windy City last week as more than 30,000 dental professionals attended the Chicago Dental Society’s (CDS) 147th annual Midwinter Meeting in the midst of a chilly winter storm. But it was warm and cozy at McCormick Place as we walked the exhibit hall floor and attended dozens of meetings and continuing education courses. In fact, the general consensus was that this

ADA video showcases CDHC project

The ADA has released a video that provides an overview of its Community Dental Health Coordinator (CDHC) project. The ADA’s CDHC pilot project began in 2006, with the final group of students completing their training last year. The CDHC is a dental team member whose primary functions are oral health education, disease prevention, and helping patients navigate the system to make and keep appointments with dentists, according to the association.

Colgate debuts prescription fluoride toothpaste

Colgate Oral Pharmaceuticals introduced Colgate PreviDent 5000 Booster Plus, a prescription-only fluoride therapy toothpaste, at this week’s Chicago Midwinter Meeting. The newest addition to Colgate’s PreviDent home fluoride product portfolio contains 1.1% sodium fluoride (5,000 ppm), FluoriGard technology, and tricalcium phosphate to help patients who are at high risk of caries. FluoriGard is an optimized fluoride delivery system that produces a temporary shift in pH, the company noted in a

HHS releases final rule regarding essential health benefits

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released the final rule on standards related to essential health benefits (EHB), actuarial value, and accreditation. The rule solidifies the Obama administration’s approach to EHBs, the standard set of services that must be covered by insurance plans offering coverage on the new health insurance exchanges, as well as in the individual and small group insurance markets in each state, according

NH reconsiders dental therapist legislation

New Hampshire is making another effort to establish a legally defined role for dental therapists, according to a report by New Hampshire Public Radio. SB 193-FN, sponsored by state Sen. Peggy Gilmour (D-District 12), would allow dental therapists to perform a host of procedures under the supervision of a currently licensed dentist, following appropriate training. Under the proposed bill, the permissible procedures would include the following: Mechanical polishing Applying fluoride