An ancient Chinese system of medicine using the appearance of the tongue to determine the body’s health has been adapted by University of Missouri (MU) researchers. The researchers developed software that analyzes images of the tongue, calling it a potential prescreening tool that could contribute to preventive medicine. They hope to create a simple smartphone app that will analyze the color and coating of one’s tongue after taking a photo
Hormonal changes that take place during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause can influence women’s oral health, according to a study in Oral Health & Preventive Dentistry. Charlene Krejci, DDS, an associate clinical professor at the Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine, reviewed 61 journal articles with nearly 100 studies for a collective answer on whether hormones have a relationship to periodontal disease and specific women’s health issues (Oral
The VitalSleep snoring mouthpiece is now being offered to dentists as a way to help address their patients’ snoring issues. The flexible, bisphenol A (BPA)-free mouthpiece has U.S. Food and Drug Administration clearance and is designed to significantly reduce snoring and improve breathing, according to Snore Reliever. Although snoring problems tend to be treated by ear, nose, and throat doctors, dentists are now offering snoring aids as a valid treatment
A survey that examined barriers to support and services to North Carolina mothers of children with orofacial clefts found that 40% have had difficulty accessing primary craniofacial care. For the study, published in Cleft Palate — Craniofacial Journal (May 2012, Vol. 49:3, pp. 262-269), researchers from the University of North Carolina and the University of Pittsburgh conducted a qualitative analysis of this population, based on a statewide birth defects registry.
Following an audit by the California Department of Managed Health Care, Community Dental Services — also known as SmileCare — will be shut down, according to an article in the Sacramento Bee. The managed care dental plan will transfer its roughly 16,000 Medi-Cal members, most of whom reside in Sacramento and Los Angeles counties, to the Liberty Dental plan on June 1. Past audits raised issues with oversight of the
Digident has launched Smile Guide Touch, a mobile application for the iPad designed to help a patient determine which cosmetic improvements he or she is seeking. Created by Digident founder David Traub, DMD, a Florida cosmetic dentist, and developed by GWHQ Productions in Dallas, the app lets dentists compose the ideal smile using patients’ descriptions of their preferred tooth shape and smile line character, according to the company. The user
National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy will become the primary charitable partner for the Pacific Dental Services-affiliated My Kid’s Dentist/Every Kid’s Dentist offices, the organizations announced. The partnership was formed through the Students United for America’s ToothFairy (SUAT) Pediatric Dental Residency Program. Designed to provide critical oral health educational and preventive services for at-risk children, the new program will also cultivate interest in the oral health field and
The Health Net Foundation, a subsidiary of Health Net, is providing $175,000 in grants to 12 California school-based health centers and community medical clinics to further their efforts in helping prevent childhood and adult dental problems. The grants are intended to improve access to dental services and provide dental health education for special needs populations, such as adults with diabetes, pregnant women, and children up to age 3, according to
Glidewell Laboratories has launched a new Web series designed to accompany its quarterly publication on general dentistry, Chairside magazine. Chairside Live, featuring editor-in-chief/clinical editor Michael DiTolla, DDS, and co-host Megan Strong, is a recurring Web series highlighting the latest news from the dental world, as well as a Case of the Week, the company noted. Each episode is designed to give dentists an insider’s look at some of the cases
Esstech, a biomedical materials company, has found evidence that its novel line of Exothane elastomers fared better than traditional polymeric matrix resins used in dental composites. Esstech’s results suggest that these materials could significantly improve dental composites, according to Jim Duff, a research chemist at Esstech. Duff presented his research, conducted with assistance from the University of Colorado, during a poster session at the recent American Academy for Dental Research
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has accepted an investigational new drug (IDN) application from C3 Jian for the company’s synthetic peptide, designed to target Streptococcus mutans and other oral bacteria. C16G2 is a synthetic peptide derived from C3 Jian’s proprietary, pheromone signaling platform technology referred to as STAMPS (Specifically Targeted Antimicrobial Peptides). The indication identified in the new IND is for the use of C16G2 in preventing dental
A Milwaukee alderman, Jim Bohl, has started a heated debate after revealing earlier this week that he intends to introduce legislation to end the city’s water fluoridation program. Monica Hebl, DDS, past president of the Greater Milwaukee Dental Association and Wisconsin Dental Association, released a statement Thursday regarding Bohl’s proposal. “This is an extremely misguided proposal based on junk science, not fact. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has
