Sinclair to sell VELscope in Canada

LED Medical Diagnostics has signed a distribution agreement with Sinclair Dental to sell LED’s VELscope Vx oral cancer screening device in Canada. VELscope Vx uses blue-spectrum fluorescence to check for neoplastic lesions, chemical irritation, side effects from medication, thermal damage, and fungal, viral, or bacterial infections. A recent study found the VELscope may also be a useful aid in the surgical treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by bisphosphonates

OHA, Hu-Friedy offer kids’ coloring page

Oral Health America (OHA) and dental manufacturer Hu-Friedy are encouraging kids of all ages to take care of their teeth by offering a fun coloring page for this year’s Fall for Smiles campaign. Good oral health habits should be taught from an early age, and the coloring page is a fun way to introduce oral health to kids. The page features a fall scene and tips for taking care of

Ortho treatment makes life better for adults

Adult orthodontic treatment contributes to significant improvements in both professional and personal lives, according to a new survey. The survey was conducted on behalf of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) for National Orthodontic Health Month in October, and included adults who had orthodontic treatment provided by orthodontists. The survey included questions regarding respondents’ pretreatment concerns, such as “How will I look?” and “Am I too old?” According to the

Study: Extract symptomatic 3rd molars, improve other teeth

For many Americans, conventional wisdom says that third-molar extraction is part of growing up. Meanwhile, in dentistry, there is considerable debate about the clinical indications that should lead to third-molar extractions. A new study published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery has found support for the removal of third molars in patients with only mild symptoms of pericoronitis (October 2013, Vol. 71:10, pp. 1639-1646). “Removal of third molars

Premium Dental adds dental, ortho supplies

Impression materials manufacturer Premium Dental Supplies has added a complete line of dental and orthodontic supplies to its product catalog. The company has added disposables, orthodontic equipment, brackets, molar bands, buccal tubes, lingual attachments, adhesives, elastomerics, wires, headgear, and other patient care materials. Premium Dental offers a wholesale pricing structure that offers increased profitability and saves time for dentists, according to the company. Dentists who provide Premium Dental with their

European prosthetics, CAD/CAM market set to rise

In 2012, the total European market for dental prosthetics and CAD/CAM systems was valued at nearly 10 billion euros ($13.8 billion), according to a new market research report from Reportbuyer.com. The economic instability in Europe affected various segments of the prosthetics and CAD/CAM markets in adverse ways, but both markets are expected to continue to rise over the 2012-2019 forecast period, the research firm noted. Factors driving growth include the

OHA gives $300K in grants to oral health groups

Oral Health America’s Smiles Across America (SAA) program has distributed $300,000 in grants to organizations across the U.S. that provide oral healthcare to children. SAA supports oral health programs nationwide in school-based and school-linked settings that provide preventive and restorative dental care to students, including fluoride treatments and dental sealants, and educate children and families about the importance of oral health. The grants were made possible through the financial support

New oral drug shows promise for Behçet’s ulcers

A new oral drug is showing promise for treating oral and genital ulcers in people with Behçet’s syndrome, according to research presented this week at the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) meeting in San Diego. The drug apremilast, developed by the biopharmaceutical company Celgene, contains small molecules that modulate several inflammatory pathways and is pending approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, according to an ACR press release. Behçet’s

W.Va. gets grant for dental sealant program

West Virginia has received a grant from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for its dental sealant program. The money is part of a $1.5 million CDC grant, which will provide the state’s oral health program with $310,600 annually for five years, according to a story by the Charleston Daily Mail. A report released earlier this year from the Pew Center on the States gave a C

Minn. Vikings pitch in on kids’ dental care

3M ESPE recently joined TeamSmile and the Minnesota Vikings to give underserved Minneapolis-area children a fun day of complimentary dental care and education. Kids also got the chance to meet Vikings players at the event, held on October 15 at the Vikings practice field in Eden Prairie, MN. The event served 300 children from area schools, providing each of them with hundreds of dollars worth of free dental care, and

Genetic markers may predict head/neck cancer risk

European researchers have identified unique DNA markings that may predict the risk of developing head and neck cancer, according to a study in the journal Cancer. The discovery may lead to the development of noninvasive tests for early precancer screening, allowing at-risk patients to get earlier treatment and improve their survival. Nearly 42,000 Americans will be diagnosed with oral or pharyngeal cancer this year, resulting in more than 8,000 deaths,

Patient reports can help predict periodontitis

Patients who respond to questionnaires on their oral health can help predict the development of periodontitis, according to a new study. The study was published in the Journal of Dental Research, and used eight questions developed by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) that address gum health and treatment history, loose teeth, bone loss around teeth, teeth not “looking right,” and