AAP task force issues peri-implantitis guidelines

When working with implant patients, dental professionals should identify possible peri-implant disease risk factors, establish a radiographic baseline at the time of implant placement, and continually monitor the implant’s health, intervening early if inflammatory complications arise, according to a report in the Journal of Periodontology (April 2013, Vol. 84:4, pp. 436-443). The paper was developed by an expert committee appointed by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and reviewed and

Brasseler offers bonus product in new procedure kits

Brasseler USA has taken 20 of its most popular procedure systems and has repackaged them to include use and technique information, along with a bonus product at a discounted price. For example, Brasseler’s Ultra Denture Kit and All Purpose Dentist Lab Kit now include a bonus pack of 12 medium ET ProviPros, 12 fine ET ProviPros, and six mandrels, the company noted. Each procedure kit includes a comprehensive laminated technique

65 Okla. patients test positive for hepatitis C

Oklahoma health officials say 65 patients so far have tested positive for hepatitis C since their investigation began last month into a Tulsa oral surgeon’s practice. Eight new cases of hepatitis C were identified in a second round of test results by the Tulsa Health Department, according to a department press release. Positive results have been reported for HIV, but officials said that there are no new cases of hepatitis

Oral cancer survivor’s support group helps nationwide

Nancy Leupold founded Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer (SPOHNC) after she was diagnosed with oral squamous cell carcinoma in 1990. Today, the organization has 127 support groups in 38 states and has published several books with advice for head and neck cancer patients. We spoke with Leupold, a retired teacher of the deaf who lives in Madison, NJ, about the oral lesion that developed on

DenTek partners with W.Va. mobile dental unit

DenTek has partnered with a West Virginia mobile dental unit and donated 5,000 floss picks to elementary students in Jackson and Kanawha counties as part of its DenTek Smiles campaign. As a partner with the Wirt County Mobile Dental Unit, DenTek accompanied the unit at two cleaning events in Jackson County on April 23. While dental hygienists conducted cleanings and exams at Kenna Elementary and Fairplain Elementary, representatives from DenTek

Hepatitis C found in Irish who had dental work overseas

Irish scientists have identified a number of hepatitis C cases among “health tourists” who had dental work or cosmetic surgery done overseas. Cases of hepatitis C have been reported among people who traveled to Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and South Africa for dental treatment, according to a story in the Irish Times. The number is thought to be small, but more cases are likely because most people with hepatitis C are

Henry Schein supports OSAP campaign

Henry Schein Dental is joining the Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) to extend their patient safety campaign. The company will include a special section in its May sales flyer where participating companies will feature selected infection-control products, according to OSAP. As part of the campaign, 5% of proceeds will go toward developing next-generation educational resources. The campaign is designed to increase OSAP’s visibility throughout the dental profession and

HSHC issues 15 Access to Care Grants totaling $269K

Healthy Smiles, Healthy Children (HSHC) and the Foundation of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry have awarded 15 Access to Care Grants totaling $269,000 to organizations that supported local service initiatives and provided oral healthcare access to underserved, at-risk children. Through these 15 community-based organizations, HSHC will reach at least 24,500 children during the next year, the AAPD noted in a press release. The 2013-2014 HSHC grant phase marks the

Canadian dentists voice concern about oral piercings

The New Brunswick Dental Society has issued a warning about the risks of tongue, lip, and cheek oral piercings, explaining that these piercings can jeopardize health and urging those who already have them to remove them. Anyone considering having an oral piercing done should consider the risks and be well-informed about the hazards involved, the society noted in a press release. The most obvious risk is infection or contracting a

Researchers link facial structure to kidney disease

Researchers at the King’s College London Dental Institute have shown that people with a certain kind of kidney disease have characteristic facial features that may reflect the genetic mutation they carry (Human Molecular Genetics, February 5, 2013). Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is the most common genetic kidney disorder. In the U.K., it accounts for around 1 in 10 people on dialysis and 1 in 8 of those with

Study: Nitrous oxide doesn’t up surgical risks

Giving nitrous oxide as part of general anesthesia for noncardiac surgery doesn’t increase the rate of complications and death, and might even decrease the risk of such events, according to a pair of studies in Anesthesia & Analgesia (May 2013, Vol. 116:5, pp. 1034-1040). But an accompanying series of editorials points out some important limitations of the two studies, which can’t completely overcome previous concerns about the safety of using

Kaiser periodontal hygienists in Ore. may get the axe

Kaiser Permanente’s vice president of dental services, Kenneth Wright, DMD, has announced his intent to eliminate periodontal hygienists within the Kaiser dental system in Oregon. The Oregon Federation of Nurses and Health Professionals (OFNHP), which represents Kaiser’s hygienists, has attempted to negotiate with management and demonstrate that eliminating the periodontal hygienist classification is a superficial cost solution that will negatively impact patient care and will actually cost more money in