Study IDs 2 cancer-promoting pathways in esophageal cancer

A non-traditional pathway for spiriting a cancer-promoting protein into the cell nucleus points to a possible combination therapy for esophageal cancer, researchers from The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center reported in the latest issue of Cancer Cell. The mTOR molecular pathway promotes the activity of the Gli1 protein in esophageal cancer development and progression, they noted in the report (CC, March 20, 2012). The so-called “Hedgehog” pathway is

Dentsply Raintree to consolidate Fla., Ga. sites

Dental products manufacturer Dentsply Raintree Essix Glenroe is consolidating operations from three facilities into one location in Manatee County, FL. The company will consolidate operations from two Bradenton, FL, facilities and one in Baldwin, GA, according to a press release from the Manatee Economic Development Corp. (MEDC). The move is expected to add nearly 50 new jobs in the Florida location this year, according to MEDC. Dentsply expects the consolidation

NYU dental school honors $1.2M gift

The New York University College of Dentistry (NYUCD) will name the Elliott M. Moskowitz Orthodontic Wing in recognition of a $1.2 million gift from Elliott Moskowitz, DDS, to help transform the school’s clinical and research environment to reflect 21st century technology, design, and function. NYUCD has also created the Elliott M. Moskowitz Give a Smile Fund, which will build on Dr. Moskowitz’s gift to secure the additional resources required to

NIH gives U.K. group $2.1M for C. albicans research

Howard Jenkinson, PhD, professor of oral microbiology and head of research for the School of Oral and Dental Sciences at the University of Bristol, has been awarded a $2.1 million, five-year program renewal from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to further investigate the role of Candida albicans in oral health. Jenkinson has been funded by the NIH since 2006 for research into Candida albicans. Among other things, he

DentalEZ supports Oral Cancer Awareness Month

DentalEZ Group is joining the Oral Cancer Foundation and the University of Pennsylvania to increase oral cancer awareness for both dental professionals and the general public throughout the month of April. Partnering with members of the Illinois dental community and the Oral Cancer Foundation, DentalEZ will sponsor the First Annual Northern Illinois Oral Cancer Awareness Walk on June 10. DentalEZ is also working with the foundation to reach its goal

Study: Bacteria found on 70% of dental bib holders

Inconsistent sterilization of dental bib holders resulted in a bacterial load of 70%, according to a study conducted by researchers at the University of Witten/Herdecke in Witten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Inconsistent sterilization protocols can result in the presence of germs, microorganisms, and pseudomonas on bib chains and holders, the researchers noted in a press release. The study examined 30 metal and plastic bib holders and found bacteria present on more

Grant to help Md. study dental program effectiveness

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has received a $40,000 grant from the American Public Health Association to study the success of the 2008 Public Health Dental Hygiene Act, according to a story in the Baltimore Business Journal. The legislation allowed dental hygienists employed by public health providers to treat patients without the supervision of a dentist in order to better reach children in underserved communities, according to

Ga. bill would make dental labs more accountable

Georgia lawmakers have introduced legislation that would put more requirements on what dental lab workers tell their dentist customers, according to a story by WTVM. According to the Georgia Dental Laboratory Association, labs do not have to reveal to a dentist what is in their products. But supporters say that SB 375 would change that by requiring laboratories in Georgia to let the dentists know what all restorations are made

HPV pushes U.K. oral cancer rates to new highs

The number of oral cancer cases diagnosed each year in the U.K. has risen above 6,000 for the first time, according to new data released today by Cancer Research UK. A decade ago there were approximately 4,400 cases of oral cancer in the U.K. But the latest figures show there were 5,905 cases of oral cancer in 2008 in the U.K., and 6,236 cases in 2009. Around two-thirds of cases

Study: Teeth erupt earlier in obese children

Rates of childhood obesity have increased dramatically in the U.S. over the past few decades. In 1980, 7% of children between the ages of 6 to 11 were obese; that rate reached 20% in 2008, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Although a slightly lower rate of 17% existed for those between the ages of 2 and 19 in 2007-2008, according to the National Health

Oral health critical for congenital heart disease patients

Poor dental hygiene behaviors in patients with congenital heart disease increases their risk of endocarditis, according to research presented at the 12th Annual Spring Meeting on Cardiovascular Nursing. “Patients with congenital heart disease are diagnosed and receive their initial treatment in childhood, but this does not mean that they are cured,” said Philip Moons, PhD, professor in nursing science at the University of Leuven and supervisor of the two studies,

Study weighs use of self-ligating vs. conventional brackets

Do orthodontists perceive significant clinical differences between self-ligating brackets (SLB) and conventional brackets (CB) during treatment? That was the question posed by a team of researchers from Virginia Commonwealth University in a new study in The Angle Orthodontist (March 12, 2012). The authors developed and distributed a survey (n = 430) to evaluate how SLB compared to CB in terms of orthodontists’ perceptions. They found that the majority of the