The No. 1 golfer in the world was thrown off his game by a painful third molar, according to an article in Yahoo Sports. Rory McIlroy was trying to defend his title at the Honda Classic in Palm Gardens, FL, when he had to withdraw midround. The golfer explained that he had “severe wisdom tooth pain” and was unable to concentrate. McIlroy was 7 over par after eight holes. In
A study of older patients with advanced head and neck cancers has found that where they were treated significantly influenced their survival (Cancer, March 1, 2013). To conduct the study, Dr. Eduardo Méndez and colleagues from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare database to identify 1,195 patients ages 66 and older who were diagnosed with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs)
Glidewell Laboratories announced it is discontinuing its services for digital treatment planning and guided surgery for implant cases. Glidewell introduced digital implant treatment planning to its customers in 2008, and it has experienced consistent revenue growth since that time. However, the complexity of current third-party digital treatment planning software programs and the prohibitive cost of surgical guides present significant obstacles to providing the reasonable fees that Glidewell’s customers have come
UnitedHealthcare and United Health Foundation have donated $1.75 million to Temple University to study the oral health of low-income young children. The program, called Project Engage, will work with Philadelphia-area children ages 6 and younger and their families who are enrolled in Medicaid. It seeks to identify children who are the most at-risk for oral health problems and create a registry of them. In addition, dental hygienists will be available
Postmenopausal women who have smoked are at much higher risk of losing their teeth than women who never smoked, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (March 2013, Vol. 144:3, pp. 252-265). Conducted by researchers at the University of Buffalo, the study involved 1,106 women who participated in the Buffalo OsteoPerio Study, an offshoot of the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI), the largest clinical trial
Perhaps an improved economy has reached the tooth fairy? The average gift from the tooth fairy was $2.42 last year, up 32¢ from $2.10 in 2011, according to Delta Dental’s Original Tooth Fairy Poll. The average gift from the tooth fairy decreased by 42¢ from 2010 to 2011. In 2012, the most common amount left under the pillow was $1, given by 51% of respondents. According to the poll, the
Alcohol consumption causes approximately 20,000 cancer deaths in the U.S. annually, especially oral cavity cancer in men and breast cancer in women, according to a new study in the American Journal of Public Health (February 14, 2013). It is the first comprehensive analysis of alcohol-attributable cancer deaths in the U.S. in more than 30 years, the study authors noted. Notably, even moderate drinkers who consume 1.5 drinks daily or fewer
Tom’s of Maine has launched a new toothpaste, Wicked Cool, a natural toothpaste for kids 8 years old and older. The toothpaste is made without dyes, saccharin, or artificial flavors, according to the company. The new toothpaste with fluoride cleans gently, helps fight cavities, and strengthens enamel. It has a mild mint taste and is designed as an in-between option to help kids age 8 and older transition from fruit-flavored
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) School of Dentistry has opened an evening orthodontic care for low-income patients. Held once a month, the UCSF Orthodontic Night Clinic charges patients about one-tenth of the typical cost, according to a story by Synapse, the UCSF student newspaper. Instead of using braces, the clinic uses all-removable devices, mainly retainers, that exert force to move the teeth. It is a simple and efficient
The New York City Health Department has launched a new ad campaign to promote oral health for young children. In New York City, more than 1 out of 3 third-graders have untreated caries, and 55% of third-graders have had a cavitated lesion, according to the health department. The new campaign is designed to educate the public on the risk factors for tooth decay, and gives parents and caregivers of young
The Head and Neck Cancer Alliance (HNCA) has launched a national video contest as a prelude to Oral, Head and Neck Cancer Awareness Week, April 14-20, 2013. The video competition is designed to promote creativity and awareness among young adults who are now increasingly affected by this disease. Contest participants, ages 18-24, can submit 30-second videos encouraging increased education and awareness of oral, head, and neck cancers. Submissions are being
The Irish Dental Association (IDA) has expressed concern that a number of businesses that offer teeth-whitening services could be operating illegally in the U.K. The warning comes after four teeth-whitening businesses were unable to provide details on the gels they use for teeth whitening, while only one of the four said their clients were examined by a dentist (Journal of the Irish Dental Association, February/March, Vol. 59:1, pp. 13). A