Fla. woman wins Damon system orthodontic makeover

Darlene Diaz, a 23-year-old resident of Homestead, FL, is the grand prize winner of Ormco’s smile makeover contest, featuring the Damon system. The contest was judged by professional surfer Bethany Hamilton, the Damon system’s celebrity endorser. Hamilton selected Diaz for her moving entry, which explained how Diaz overcame extreme adversities after a devastating car crash that left her paralyzed at age 15. After the accident, Diaz gained independence through the

Earthquake stress linked to teeth grinding

New Zealand Dental Association dentists in Christchurch, New Zealand, have noticed an uptick of patients who need treatment for teeth grinding and suspect it is related to stress caused by a massive earthquake last year, according to an article in the Press. The earthquake had the additional impact on oral health of making it less of a priority for those affected by the earthquake. In some cases, physical obstacles are

Bite Block Baggies reduce cross-contamination risk

Flow Dental has introduced Bite Block Baggies, which are designed to help reduce the risk of cross-contamination and the need for excessive autoclaving. The latex-free baggies are designed to cover and protect the bite block, positioning arm, and x-ray media from contamination, according to the company. To use, assemble the x-ray, bite block, and positioner, then place all inside a Bite Block Baggie. After use, rebag for the next patient.

Dos and don’ts for practice finance: Finding the right dental lab

Most dentists have a good relationship with their dental laboratory. However, that relationship is sometimes more the result of a habit than a carefully considered decision. Look for labs that want your business. A good dental lab should be able to educate their doctors concerning everything from restorations to preparation to materials. The right lab is a partner in the practice. This partnership can help reduce the number of remakes

Glidewell expands cost control for implant abutments

Dental laboratories that use digital scan and design software from 3Shape, Dental Wings, Exocad, and Delcam can now transmit digital scan files for the production of Glidewell Laboratories’ Inclusive custom implant abutments. Dental labs that have abutment design capability can create their own customized abutment designs using Glidewell’s Inclusive custom implant abutment libraries, reducing costs up to 30%, according to the company. Inclusive custom implant abutments, available in zirconia and

NCOHF gives $10K to San Gabriel Valley Foundation

With a donation from Centrix Dental, National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy has awarded a grant in the amount of $10,000 to the San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health. The Centrix Dental Grant will support an outreach education program that will reach more than 11,000 children in the next year. Founded in 1997, the San Gabriel Valley Foundation for Dental Health is a nonprofit organization that provides

BDHF pamphlet outlines smokeless tobacco risks

The British Dental Health Foundation (BDHF) has produced a new public information leaflet emphasizing the risks association with smokeless tobacco. Presented in a Q&am;A format, “Tell Me About: Smokeless Tobacco” contains information about the effects of smokeless tobacco, particularly addressing its relationship with oral cancer. The leaflet also explains the health benefits of giving up smokeless tobacco and offers advice on how to quit. More work needs to be done

Mandibular veneers perform as well as maxillary

Ceramic mandibular veneers are likely to be as successful as veneer restorations placed on maxillary anterior teeth, according to a new study in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry (September 26, 2012). “Veneers are becoming more and more important and accepted as a routine procedure in private practice,” said lead study author Sven Rinke, DMD, in a HuangshanDental.com interview. “Nevertheless, data on extended veneer restoration and for veneers on

Milestone Scientific, Aseptico join forces

Aseptico has been named exclusive distributor of Milestone Scientific’s Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) system. The companies also announced a joint marketing initiative targeting dental publications and direct mailing campaigns to more than 150,000 dentists in the U.S. and Canada, according to the companies.

Wichita voters reject water fluoridation bid

Voters in Wichita, KS, have decided against water fluoridation, handing a victory to antifluoridation activists that has been difficult to attain in major cities this year. Following the November 6 vote, the final tally was 74,788 in favor and 50,890 against, roughly a 60% to 40% split, the Wichita Eagle reported. Wichita voters have rejected water fluoridation in the past, with votes against winning in 1964 and 1978. “From a

HPV test for oral cancers may improve patient outcomes

A new test designed to classify tonsil and throat cancers should help deliver the right treatment to the right patients, according to research being presented at a National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) conference in the U.K. next week. The RNAscope test can be done in hospitals and looks for the presence of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in oropharyngeal cancers, according to the institute. Doctors will be able to use the

Brooke Burke battling thyroid cancer

“Dancing With the Stars” co-host Brooke Burke-Charvet has shared on a ModernMom.com blog post that she has thyroid cancer. She revealed that she had a nodule on her thyroid and now, after months of research, tests, and second opinions, the results were “not good.” She is now scheduled to undergo a thyroidectomy. “I’m going to be fine. And I feel really, really strong. Doctors say this is a good kind