Adult xylitol study yields surprising results

Daily use of xylitol lozenges did not result in a statistically or clinically significant reduction in caries among adults with an elevated risk of developing caries, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (January 2013, Vol. 144:1, pp. 21-30). A team of researchers from several U.S. academic institutions conducted the three-site, placebo-controlled, randomized study, dubbed the Xylitol for Adult Caries Trial (X-ACT). It was designed

Dental crisis looms for Calif. Medi-Cal kids

The Children’s Partnership (TCP) has released an issue brief and action plan addressing the challenges Medi-Cal, California’s Medicaid program, faces in providing dental care to children in the state. The issue brief also stresses the impact that newly enrolled children will have on the state’s strained dental care system. With the transition of children in the Healthy Families Program over to Medi-Cal, coupled with the implementation of the Patient Protection

Texas legislator targets Medicaid dental fraud

A Texas lawmaker has introduced another piece of legislation intended to address Medicaid dental fraud in the wake of the ongoing controversy about millions of dollars the state has spent on orthodontic care for children. Sen. Jane Nelson (R-Flower Mound) said SB 8 would address the ongoing Medicaid scandal, particularly such tactics as solicitors that offer gifts and cash to parents of Medicaid children to coax them into getting orthodontic

$100K donation to aid Utah sealant program

Intermountain Healthcare is donating $100,000 to the nonprofit Sealants for Smiles to increase access to oral health education and preventive dental services for at-risk children in Utah. The donation will be used at 30 schools in 2013, according to the organization. The contribution will provide examinations by a licensed Utah dentist, fluoride varnish, and dental sealants to all children. The money will also expand services to elementary schools with greater

Benco Dental to distribute 3M scanner

Benco Dental has qualified as the newest U.S. channel partner for 3M ESPE’s True Definition Scanner system. Benco will sell, install, and support the digital impression system, according to the company. The True Definition Scanner sells for $11,995.

Implant-placing technologies tested for accuracy

Preoperative planning and positioning are essential steps to avoid complications for a patient receiving dental implants, such as damage to the mental nerve. A new study in the Journal of Oral Implantology compares the results of technologies for locating and measuring the anterior loop of the mental nerve with actual anatomic measurements on human cadavers (December 2012, Vol. 38:6, pp. 668-676). A study used three methods to measure the anterior

Leaders in Dentistry: Dr. Michael B. Prystowsky

HuangshanDental.com is pleased to present the next installment of Leaders in Dentistry, a series of interviews with researchers, practitioners, and opinion leaders who are influencing the practice of dentistry and oral healthcare. We spoke with Michael B. Prystowsky, MD, PhD, chairman of the department of pathology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the Montefiore Medical Center in New York. Dr. Prystowsky’s research focuses on head and neck cancers.

Tom’s of Maine sponsors tooth fairy contest

Tom’s of Maine is giving kids an opportunity to flex their artistic muscles and help dental clinics in their states through the Be a Tooth Fairy Hero contest. Parents of children ages 3 to 10 are invited to submit their child’s artistic interpretation of the tooth fairy to Tom’s of Maine. The winning entries will earn a $10,000 donation on behalf of 10 randomly selected winners to a dental clinic

Mass. dental hygienist program aids access to care

A unique dental hygienist program in Massachusetts has been expanded through a new grant from the University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMMS). The Public Health Dental Hygienist Program began operating in 2011 as a demonstration project through a grant from UMMS, according to the school. The program allows hygienists who meet certain standards to operate independently in public health settings outside of dental offices. The goal is to increase access

Study explores impact of secondhand smoke on GA for kids

There are a host of reasons to avoid exposing children to secondhand smoke, also known as environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), but scientists are still learning about its myriad effects on them. In a new study from the Ohio State University College of Dentistry that examined the impact of environmental tobacco smoke on children undergoing general anesthesia (GA), researchers found that children exposed to ETS had significantly longer recovery times despite

Shofu expands OneShot product line

Shofu Dental has introduced OneShot Unilayer Porcelain, a next-generation ceramic material designed to improve productivity and aesthetic outcomes with a single-powder buildup process. An extension of the Vintage MP and ZR product lines, just one baking cycle provides color match for any Vita shade. The material yields reduced shrinkage versus multiple firing-cycle techniques, while allowing one powder to build to full contour, according to the company.

Ormco offers productivity tips for orthodontists

Ormco has released its annual list of tips and recommended resources to help orthodontists increase the value of their services and practices in 2013. Here are the company’s recommendations to help drive practice differentiation and patient starts, while reducing practice-associated costs: Target adults. Take advantage of free digital and traditional marketing resources, from turnkey consultation presentations to digital image libraries for use on websites. Highlight flexible finance options. Continuing education