What would you do with 55% higher case acceptance?

Every Halloween, jack-o-lanterns are eye-catching and, to say the least, interesting. These expressive pumpkins bring us all enjoyment. The carved masterpieces have transformed over the years from simplistic designs with smiles to intricate graphic art pieces. Why do jack-o-lanterns fascinate us, and why are we drawn to them? How do they hold our interest and mesmerize us? Is it the diversity in their expressions, for example, their toothless, jagged, or

Israel to end water fluoridation in 2014

The Supreme Court of Israel ruled July 29 that new regulations require Israel to stop adding fluoride chemicals to public water supplies starting next year, reports the Fluoride Action Network (FAN). The Izun Hozer Association for Dissemination of Health Education and Yaacov Gurman petitioned Israel’s highest court last November, demanding that the Ministry of Health order the cessation of fluoridation because it presents health dangers. A 1974 regulation mandated fluoridation

2 doctors launch professional whitening product

Two sisters, Pooneh Sabo, DDS, and her sister, Paris Sabo, MD, have founded a company called Start Pure to manufacture a new professional teeth-whitening system that they created. The company will be introducing Start Pure Pro, a 20-minute, in-office teeth-whitening system, this week at the California Dental Association’s fall meeting. The sisters developed the system and technique to address the needs of professionals looking for economical, U.S.-made products. Their product

ADA seeks 750 volunteers for MOM event

Volunteers are encouraged to register for the American Dental Association (ADA) Mission of Mercy (MOM) charity dental clinic scheduled to take place November 3 in New Orleans during the ADA’s 2013 annual meeting. Together with America’s Dentists Care Foundation and support from the Louisiana and New Orleans Dental Associations, the event aims to serve 1,000 people in need of dental care. Organizers hope to attract 750 dentists, their team members,

Study: Vaccine protects against oral HPV16/18 infection

The human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine affords strong protection against oral HPV16/18 infections, according to a new study in PLOS One (July 17, 2013). The findings suggest the vaccine may reduce the risk of HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancers, in particular HPV16, the type most commonly associated with this cancer. HPV infection, particularly with type 16, is causing a growing number of oropharyngeal cancers (OPC), with a strong predominance of HPV16, which is

How 2 men changed dentistry forever

It’s funny how the universe aligns itself — theories and people — and then pings them off one another with galactic precision. In 1890, two such events had a profound effect on the future of dental science. First, 37-year-old Willoughby D. Miller, DDS, MD, theorized the chemoparasitic theory of caries. That same year, 21-year-old Alfred C. Fones graduated from the New York College of Dentistry with his Doctor of Dental

SurgiTel donates camera, video equipment to NCOHF

SurgiTel has made a $12,000 product donation of SurgiCam camera and video equipment to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy. The equipment will go to America’s ToothFairy Affiliate network of nonprofit community healthcare facilities providing oral health services for children in need.

Atlantic Precious Metal launches Strategy Milling

Atlantic Precious Metal Refining has unveiled Strategy Milling, a milling center designed to provide dental professionals will milled full-contour gold crowns and bridges. The milling center creates restorations with the accuracy of digital and eliminates onsite alloy inventory, according to a company press release. Customers are billed only for the alloy used as each gold crown is milled. This service also eliminates tasks related to preparing gold restorations, such as

HPV triples risk of esophageal cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) triples the risk of people developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, according to research led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (PLOS One, July 24, 2013). In addition to causing cervical, anal, and genital cancers, HPV has more recently been linked to oral and head and neck cancers. “One of the main issues is this form of esophageal cancer is usually diagnosed quite late

Law firm investigates Align Technology claims

A Colorado law firm is investigating potential claims against certain officers and directors of Align Technology. The Shuman Law Firm’s investigation concerns the company’s October 17, 2012, announcement that it would take a substantial impairment charge relating to its March 29, 2011, acquisition of Cadent Holdings for approximately $190 million in cash. According to a company press release announcing the acquisition, Cadent was “a leading provider of 3D digital scanning

CDA journal focuses on pediatric dentistry

The August issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association provides a pediatric dentistry update and reviews how to treat children with primary and mixed dentition, according to the California Dental Association (CDA). “This month’s issue aims to provide practical, clinical knowledge to help general dentists feel more comfortable treating children in their practices,” said Kerry Carney, DDS, editor in chief of the journal, in a press release. In

Perio Tray now has insurance code

The ADA has issued a new insurance code for the Perio Tray, made by Perio Protect, as a noninvasive treatment for periodontal disease. The ADA’s Code Maintenance Committee recently voted to add D5994 to the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT), effective January 1, 2014. The code refers to a “periodontal medicament carrier with peripheral seal — laboratory processed.” For offices prescribing Perio Trays, the 2014 CDT Code will