UConn dental student wins award for anticaries video

A student at the University of Connecticut (UConn) School of Dental Medicine has won an award for a humorous video promoting oral health. “Frank D. Kay, Professional Cavity” was created by fourth-year student Andrew Rosenstein, who directed and stars in the light-hearted two-minute public service announcement, according to the school. He was honored with an award from the Connecticut Coalition for Oral Health. The contest sought videos capturing the message

Dental hygienist among top 10 jobs for 2013

Dental hygienist is among the top 10 paying jobs requiring an associate’s degree in the U.S., according to data released by CareerBuilder and Economic Modeling Specialists (EMSI). The study uses EMSI’s extensive labor market database, which pulls from more than 90 U.S. and state employment resources and includes detailed information on employees and self-employed workers. For 2013, dental hygienists are ranked No. 3 on the list: Air traffic controller: $113,547

FDA asked to set limits on sugar

The Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI) is urging the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to determine a safe level of added sugars in soft drinks and other beverages to help in the fight against diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues — including oral health — caused by consuming too much sugar. In a 54-page regulatory petition filed today with the FDA, the CSPI details the

How to help ease cancer patients’ oral complications

While cancer survival rates are improving, common cancer therapies such as chemoradiation often cause acute oral complications and toxicities that are largely unavoidable, according to a study in CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians (November/December 2012, Vol. 62:6, pp. 400-422). Increased awareness and aggressive management of oral toxicities are needed to ensure the long-term oral health and well-being of cancer patients, according to the study authors, led by Joel B.

Feb. CDA journal focuses on salivary diagnostics

The February Journal of the California Dental Association explores salivary diagnostics, taking a significant posture in dentistry based on its recent advancements in the basic, translational, and clinical sciences, the California Dental Association (CDA) announced. Guest editor David T. Wong, DMD, DMSc — one of the investigators at the forefront of salivary diagnostics — assembled an array of authors with extensive knowledge of the topic for the issue, the association

Cloud-based PM software targets orthodontic practices

Focus Ortho has introduced a cloud-based practice management (PM) software service designed specifically for orthodontic practices. Focus Ortho features a streamlined interface to manage orthodontic practices and advanced software design that allows offices to access patient data from a single screen, according to the company. Treatment history, finances, notes, progress data, and more are all contained in sortable lists that yield a consistent interface. Focus Ortho is designed to handle

Hu-Friedy kicks off Gracey contests

In celebration of 100 years of dental hygiene, Hu-Friedy is kicking off two contests: the Oldest Gracey and Gracey Story. Hu-Friedy’s invention of Gracey curettes will be featured at the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) annual meeting in June as one of the significant events in dental hygiene history, according to the company. Dr. Clayton Gracey partnered with Hu-Friedy’s founder, Hugo Friedman, in 1945 to develop a line of instruments

Do successful people have similar smiles?

What do the most influential people in the world have in common? After comparing images of smiling faces selected from Time magazine’s annual list of the 100 most influential people from 2006-2010, Spanish researchers have found consistencies in their facial features, according to a study to be published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation (March 2013, Vol. 40:3, pp. 159-170). “The smiles of the world’s most influential people revealed common

ApneaRx oral appliance offers custom fit

Apnea Sciences has introduced ApneaRx, a patented design that can be fitted and adjusted by trained sleep care providers as well as dentists. ApneaRx is the only boil and bite oral appliance that can be adjusted in 1-mm increments to ensure a custom fit, without the use of screws, plastic straps, rubber bands, or other accessories, according to the company. In addition, the prescription device is now recognized by Medicare

Smithsonian debuts tooth fairy ‘mockumentary’

As part of National Children’s Dental Health Month, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History has joined with the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry to help educate dentists, parents, and caregivers of children about the tooth fairy and the history of dental health. The museum has unveiled a YouTube video that finally answers the age-old question, “What does the tooth fairy do with all of those teeth?” The “Tooth Fairy

Orthodontist must forfeit $1.5M in Medicaid fraud case

A U.S. district judge has ordered an Amarillo, TX, orthodontist to forfeit $1.56 million after pleading guilty to one count of Medicaid fraud, according to an article in the Amarillo Globe-News. Michael David Goodwin, DDS, cannot challenge the forfeiture according to the terms of his plea agreement and could spend 10 years in federal prison and be fined up to $250,000. Dr. Goodwin, owner of practices in Amarillo and Crown

Web-Op launches Pure Dental Whitening

Web-Op has released a new at-home teeth-whitening product that uses a cleaning formula based on concentrated hydrogen peroxide, glycerin USP (United States Pharmacopoeia), carbomer, and propylene glycol. The product provides dentist-grade teeth whitening but does not require a dental visit, according to the company. In addition to the custom upper and lower teeth-whitening tray, Pure Dental Whitening includes a touch-up pen, allowing users to make corrections between applications.