A 69-year-old New York woman has succeeded in her efforts to hold Merck, makers of the osteoporosis drug Fosamax, accountable for her osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) and related health issues. On February 5, a federal jury ordered Merck to pay Rhoda Scheinberg $285,000 in the case, which was originally filed in 2008 in U.S District Court for the Southern District of New York. The jury found that Merck was
Millennium Dental Technologies (MDT) has completed initial LANAP (laser-assisted new attachment procedure) protocol clinical training and licensure by two periodontal disease researchers at Temple University. Thomas Rams, DDS, a professor in the department of periodontology and oral implantology, and Jon Suzuki, DDS, a professor in the department of microbiology and immunology, will conduct independent laboratory and clinical studies on the antimicrobial effects of MDT’s PerioLase MVP-7 during LANAP. The research
More Americans fear losing their teeth than getting the flu or root canals, according to a survey by the American Association of Endodontists (AAE). Despite an especially bad flu season that has taxed hospital emergency rooms and led to public health emergencies, more survey respondents hoped to avoid losing a permanent tooth (74%) than getting the flu (73%), the AAE noted in a press release. Outdated concerns about endodontic treatment
A student at the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Dental Medicine has won an award for a humorous video promoting oral health. “Frank D. Kay, Professional Cavity” was created by fourth-year student Andrew Rosenstein, who directed and stars in the light-hearted two-minute public service announcement, according to the school. He was honored with an award from the Connecticut Coalition for Oral Health. The contest sought videos capturing the message
Dental hygienist is among the top 10 paying jobs requiring an associate’s degree in the U.S., according to data released by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists (EMSI). The study uses EMSI’s extensive labor market database, which pulls from more than 90 U.S. and state employment resources and includes detailed information on employees and self-employed workers. For 2013, dental hygienists are ranked No. 3 on the list: Air traffic controller: $113,547
The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine a safe level of added sugars in soft drinks and other beverages to help in the fight against diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues — including oral health — caused by consuming too much sugar. In a 54-page regulatory petition filed today with the FDA, the CSPI details the
While cancer survival rates are improving, common cancer therapies such as chemoradiation often cause acute oral complications and toxicities that are largely unavoidable, according to a study in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (November/December 2012, Vol. 62:6, pp. 400-422). Increased awareness and aggressive management of oral toxicities are needed to ensure the long-term oral health and well-being of cancer patients, according to the study authors, led by Joel B.
The February Journal of the California Dental Association explores salivary diagnostics, taking a significant posture in dentistry based on its recent advancements in the basic, translational, and clinical sciences, the California Dental Association (CDA) announced. Guest editor David T. Wong, DMD, DMSc — one of the investigators at the forefront of salivary diagnostics — assembled an array of authors with extensive knowledge of the topic for the issue, the association
Focus Ortho has introduced a cloud-based practice management (PM) software service designed specifically for orthodontic practices. Focus Ortho features a streamlined interface to manage orthodontic practices and advanced software design that allows offices to access patient data from a single screen, according to the company. Treatment history, finances, notes, progress data, and more are all contained in sortable lists that yield a consistent interface. Focus Ortho is designed to handle
In celebration of 100 years of dental hygiene, Hu-Friedy is kicking off two contests: the Oldest Gracey and Gracey Story. Hu-Friedy’s invention of Gracey curettes will be featured at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) annual meeting in June as one of the significant events in dental hygiene history, according to the company. Dr. Clayton Gracey partnered with Hu-Friedy’s founder, Hugo Friedman, in 1945 to develop a line of instruments
What do the most influential people in the world have in common? After comparing images of smiling faces selected from Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people from 2006-2010, Spanish researchers have found consistencies in their facial features, according to a study to be published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (March 2013, Vol. 40:3, pp. 159-170). “The smiles of the world’s most influential people revealed common
Apnea Sciences has introduced ApneaRx, a patented design that can be fitted and adjusted by trained sleep care providers as well as dentists. ApneaRx is the only boil and bite oral appliance that can be adjusted in 1-mm increments to ensure a custom fit, without the use of screws, plastic straps, rubber bands, or other accessories, according to the company. In addition, the prescription device is now recognized by Medicare
