LawAtlas releases map of dental hygienists requirements

LawAtlas.org has released a map that shows dental hygienist licensing requirements, authority, and supervision requirements across the U.S. The map examines laws across 50 states and the District of Columbia, and clarifies the varied national landscape of laws that govern the scope of practice for dental hygienists, according the Public Health Law Research, a program dedicated to legal and policy surveillance. State laws and regulations define which oral health treatments

Few survivors of HNC using mental health services

Mental health services appear to be underutilized despite depression among survivors of head and neck cancer (HNC), according to a new study in JAMA Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery (August 15, 2013). The long-term physical effects of radiation therapy for HNC have been well-described, but few studies have examined psychosocial functioning, including depression, among patients, according to the study authors, from the University of California, Davis and the University

Scientists use human urine to grow teeth

Ongoing advances in tissue engineering are pushing the boundaries of what scientists can regenerate. Most recently, the development of tooth-like structures from stem cells in human urine has garnered international attention from lay and professional audiences alike (Cell Regeneration, July 30, 2013). For the study, researchers from China utilized human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for the first time in solid tissue or organ regeneration. More specifically, they used a

HPV-related tonsillar cancer on the rise in Canada

American and European research shows an alarming increase in the rate of tonsillar cancer related to the human papillomavirus (HPV). Experts have suggested that a similar trend has emerged in Canada, and now a new study in Current Oncology has confirmed it (Vol. 20:4, pp. 212-219). Historically, oropharyngeal cancer was linked primarily to smoking and alcohol use, but recent studies have shown that HPV is now a major cause. To

Young smokeless tobacco users engage in riskier behavior

Young users of smokeless tobacco have a tendency to be male, to smoke, and to binge drink, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (August 2013, Vol. 144:8, pp. 930-938). R. Constance Wiener, DMD, from the West Virginia University School of Dentistry and School of Public Health performed a cross-sectional analysis of participants in the 2011 national Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System survey. A requirement

Oral bacterium linked to colorectal cancer

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine have discovered how a common oral bacterium can contribute to colorectal cancer (Cell Host & Microbe, August 14, 2013, Vol. 14:2, pp. 195-206). “We found this cancer is linked to an infection from [the bacterium],” said lead study investigator Yiping Han, PhD, a professor of periodontics at the dental school. “This discovery creates the potential for new diagnostic tools and

UCLA gets $5M to study RNA in saliva

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry has received $5 million in funding from the National Institutes for Health to study biological markers in saliva to attempt to develop a tool for detecting stomach cancer. The study has the potential to create a new paradigm in the field of salivary diagnostics, and it could supply concrete evidence that saliva can be used in the detection of life-threatening

Implant pioneer’s patient a 30-year success story

When they were first introduced, dental implants were an inconsistent and unproven treatment option. But that did not deter Paul Schnitman, DDS, MSD, from learning everything he could about them as a young dentist. Implant pioneer Dr. Paul Schnitman. Implant pioneer Dr. Paul Schnitman. Still, it took an inquisitive patient for him to place his first screw-type implants. In 1983, Elizabeth Scotland sought out Dr. Schnitman after learning about the new

Study: Hydroxyapatite doubles as a teeth whitener

Can hydroxyapatite be used as a teeth whitener in addition to helping prevent or reverse demineralization? Yes, according to a new study in the European Journal of Oral Sciences (August 2013, Vol. 121:4, pp. 382-388). For this in vitro study, researchers from Ludwig Maximilians University evaluated the efficacy of teeth whitening using different calcium phosphate-based formulations. Teeth were treated with three different hydroxyapatite preparations at different concentrations and with two

$10M gift to aid head/neck cancer research

A North Carolina couple has pledged $10 million to the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston for head and neck cancer research and treatment. Charles and Daneen Stiefel of Raleigh, NC, established the Charles and Daneen Stiefel Chair in Cancer Research in 2009 with a $1 million gift in gratitude for the care Charles received as a patient at the cancer center, the university explained in a press release. In

Endoscopic approach eases blocked salivary duct treatment

The current method for treating a blocked salivary duct is far more complicated and dangerous than it should be. Now Cook Medical is working to make the surgical procedure commonly employed to treat it in the U.S. obsolete, replacing it with an endoscopic method. “The analogy of this disorder can definitely be compared to kidney stones, in terms of this procedure and how it is advancing,” Thomas Cherry, Otolaryngology Head

Coltène offers Elasti-Dam dental dam

Coltène has introduced the Elasti-Dam, a powder-free, low-protein latex dam that offers low modulus handling for easier stretching to place over clamps. It comes in standardized 5 x 5 or 6 x 6 sizes, medium or heavy gauges, and mint-scented green or vanilla-scented blue colors, according to a company press release. It costs the same as the traditional Hygenic latex dam. Coltene’s product line includes Hygenic ready cut dam, Fiesta