Parents balk at vaccinating daughters against HPV

A rising number of parents say they won’t have their teenage daughters vaccinated against the human papillomavirus (HPV) even though physicians are increasingly recommending adolescent vaccinations, according to a new study in Pediatrics (March 18, 2013). More than 40% of parents surveyed by researchers at the Mayo Clinic believe the HPV vaccine is unnecessary, and a growing number worry about potential side effects, the clinic noted in a press release.

Renishaw licenses dental additive manufacturing patents

Renishaw has licensed several patents held by BEGO Bremer Goldschlägerei Wilh. Herbst, which specializes in dental prosthodontics, related to additive manufacturing in dental applications. The new licensing agreement between Renishaw and BEGO will allow the Renishaw Group to strengthen its existing dental business on a global basis, the companies noted in a press release. BEGO launched additive manufacturing technologies into the dental industry in 2001. The process allows the production

3M ESPE donates to America’s ToothFairy

3M ESPE has contributed Adper self-etch adhesive to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy. The donation, worth more than $17,000, will benefit 21 America’s ToothFairy affiliate nonprofit programs that provide educational, preventive, and restorative services for underserved children, according to the organization. The network is comprised of nonprofit community clinics and outreach programs dedicated to providing oral health services for children in need.

VirtualGrid releases updated VRMesh software

VirtualGrid has launched VRMesh v7.6, the latest version of its 3D point cloud and mesh processing software designed to aid in creating dental implant drill guides. This release adds new capabilities to streamline the process of creating the drill guide, according to the company. The typical workflow for dental drill guide design is a four-step process: Separate cylinders and tubes from a dental cast. Extract a desired region for producing

$4.1M grant will fund new salivary diagnostics center

The Massachusetts Life Sciences Center is giving the Forsyth Institute a $4.1 million capital grant to fund the new Forsyth Center for Salivary Diagnostics. The facility will seek to revolutionize the way disease testing is performed, the organizations noted in a press release. The center will develop and commercialize saliva-based tests to replace blood-based disease detection tests that are currently used. Saliva contains virtually all the same medical diagnostic information as

Marty @ IDS 2013: The grand finale

COLOGNE, Germany – Saturday, Day Five: I again saw some interesting products, including one developed by a friend of mine, Dale Miles, DDS. Dr. Miles is an oral radiologist who has written many books on radiography and cone-beam CT technology, and now he has developed a software product called Easy Writer. After you do a cone-beam CT scan, you are legally responsible for interpreting any potential pathologies in the scan, whether

OCF sponsors oral cancer awareness month

The Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF) is sponsoring the 14th Annual Oral Cancer Awareness Month this April. The foundation is encouraging dental practices across the U.S. and Canada to offer free oral cancer screenings for at least three hours one day during April. Through this group collaboration, the foundation hopes to see oral cancer brought to the attention of as many individuals as possible and have the disease get the national

Human microbe study yields periodontitis insights

Scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) have found the genetic code of bacteria, which could lead to treatments for periodontitis, according to a new study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (March 18, 2013). The study profiles the SR1 bacteria, a group of microbes present in many environments — ranging from the oral cavity to deep within the Earth — that have never been cultivated in

Dos and don’ts for hygiene production: Reinvent your hygiene department

It is time for re-evaluation and restructuring of the hygiene department. A high percentage of the adult population has some form of periodontal disease. Therefore, the need for a strong hygiene program in your office is important. In addition, an ongoing upgrade of maintenance recording, documentation, and patient communication skills will be needed to maintain a high standard of care. Understand the duties of an effective hygienist: Communication of dental

University of Colo. licenses dental polymer to 3M

An advanced dental polymer technology developed at the University of Colorado Boulder has been licensed to 3M. The licensed technology enables formation of very low-shrinkage composites, improving the performance of many materials currently used in dental fillings and sealants, dentures, and dental implants, according to the university. The process, pioneered by Christopher Bowman, PhD, uses a unique light-cured material that reduces the physical stress within dental composites, avoiding shrinkage and

Marty @ IDS 2013: Wrapping things up

COLOGNE, Germany – Friday, Day Four of the 2013 International Dental Show (IDS): The sun was shining as I rode the train to the convention site, also known as Messe, German for “fair.” My schedule was a little less hectic with fewer meetings, allowing me more time to explore the convention halls. I came across some interesting products in the Planmeca booth, including a cone-beam CT scanner that is a

Colo. to keep kids’ dental in healthcare exchange?

Colorado’s health insurance exchange may move forward without children’s dental care after language from the federal government termed such benefits as “essential” yet “optional,” the Denver Post reported. With the lack of a federal mandate, state officials say they are working to create a more robust system of oral health coverage for underserved children when the state’s healthcare exchange opens in October. Colorado’s poor performance in oral health measurements is