ADA study finds poor quality of evidence to support MLPs

A review of the research on irreversible procedures performed by midlevel providers (MLPs) concludes the evidence is too poor to compare the effectiveness of their treatment with that of dentists, according to a yearlong systematic review conducted by the ADA (Journal of the American Dental Association, January 2013, Vol. 144:1, pp. 75-91). Some groups treated by MLPs had fewer caries over time, but other groups showed no difference in the

Pew among top contributors to Kan. fluoridation campaign

The Pew Charitable Trust and the Kansas Taxpayers Network were the biggest financial backers in a November vote on whether the city of Wichita, KS, would adopt water fluoridation, according to a story in the Wichita Eagle. Wichitans For Healthy Teeth, which raised nearly $170,000 to promote the fluoridation of Wichita drinking water, was the largest contributor to the campaign. Pew Charitable Trusts contributed $68,000 in cash to the campaign

A response to ADA’s ‘scientific study’ of dental therapists

The results of the ADA study published in the January 2013 Journal of the American Dental Association do nothing to discredit the utilization of dental therapists in the workforce in their traditional role of providing care for children in school-based programs. Nothing in the study refutes the conclusions reached last year in a comprehensive review of the global literature by 16 international colleagues and myself. Those conclusions were that dental

Natural adhesive may help remineralize teeth

A substance similar to the adhesive that mussels use to attach to rocks and other surfaces in water could help prevent tooth sensitivity and help remineralize teeth, according to a new study in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces (December 2012, Vol. 4:12, pp. 6901-6910). Three out of every four people worldwide have teeth that are sensitive to hot, cold, sweet, or sour foods and drinks, according to the study authors,

Mild sleep apnea may help heart attack patients heal

A new study suggests that some heart attack patients may actually benefit from mild to moderate sleep-disordered breathing such as sleep apnea (American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, January 1, 2013, Vol. 187:1, pp. 90-98). The researchers from Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Rambam Medical Center found that apnea and other types of sleep-disordered breathing can boost the numbers and functions of rare cells that help to repair

MDA sponsors 11th Give Kids A Smile event

Minnesota dentists will be providing free dental care services for children in need, during the Minnesota Dental Association’s (MDA) 11th annual Give Kids A Smile event on February 1-2. The event, part of Children’s Dental Health Month, is expected to provide care to 6,000 children at more than 200 dental clinics throughout the state, the MDA noted. Since Give Kids A Smile began, Minnesota dentists have provided free care to

DentaPure sets $1M donation goal for NCOHF

DentaPure, a company that sells water treatment products, has joined National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) in a multiyear program to benefit the NCOHF Affiliate Network reaching children in need with critical oral health services. As part of a new Facebook campaign, DentaPure will donate one dental water treatment product to NCOHF: America’s ToothFairy for every new “Like” at www.facebook.com/dentapure and has agreed to contribute up to 4,000 units, equivalent

ADA meta-analysis finds lack of data to support MLPs

Despite thousands of published studies on the role of midlevel providers (MLPs) in dentistry, there is not enough scientific evidence to support the use of nondentists performing irreversible surgical procedures, according to a yearlong systematic review conducted by the ADA (Journal of the American Dental Association, January 2013, Vol. 144:1, pp. 75-91). The systematic review sought to answer this question: In populations where nondentists conduct diagnostic, treatment planning, and/or irreversible

Long-term study supports periodontitis/diabetes link

The scientific evidence linking type 2 diabetes with a significantly greater risk of periodontitis continues to mount, according to long-term data published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice (December 2012, Vol. 98:3, pp. 494-500). Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) exhibited an even stronger association with risk of periodontitis among those who consumed few fruits and vegetables, noted the study authors, from the Harvard School of Public Health, Brigham and Women’s

Fake ‘fashion braces’ a dangerous teen fad in Asia

In Thailand, China, and Indonesia, teens are donning fake orthodontics in a trend that has had deadly results in at least two cases, according to an article on Vice.com. The high cost of braces has made them a status symbol that teens have latched onto. Now fashion braces, called “kawat gigi untuk gaya” or “behel” in Indonesia, can be purchased for about $100 online and stalls in open-air markets. Beauty

Study: E4D restorations yield good marginal fits

A recent study by faculty and students at the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) College of Dental Medicine found clinically acceptable marginal fits, regardless of the quality of the preparation, with restorations fabricated with the E4D System, D4D Technologies announced in a press release. There was a statistically significant correlation between the marginal fit and the quality of the preparation, however, according to the study authors, from the MUSC

Dental crown maker creates ‘tooth tattoos’

A dental crown maker has added a new element to his business: placing images on the teeth he creates. David W. Roberts, owner of Blue Crown Dental Arts in Kennewick, WA, calls his craft “tooth tattooing,” although he is actually painting the images, according to an article in the News Tribune. Roberts began painting dental crowns 40 years ago while working as a dental technician when a dental assistant asked