CT texture analysis yields esophageal cancer biomarkers

Computed tomography (CT) texture analysis of primary tumors may be a potential imaging biomarker in localized esophageal cancer following neoadjuvant chemotherapy, according to research presented February 9 at the 2013 Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Orlando, FL. The study evaluated the tumoral texture analysis on baseline and post-treatment CT scans of 31 patients with localized resectable esophageal cancer patients with a median age of 63 and who received

New Biolase diode laser gains FDA nod

Biolase has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearance for the Diolase 10 soft-tissue laser. The 940-nm laser is designed for use in oral surgery, arthroscopy, gastroenterology, general surgery, dermatology, plastic surgery, podiatry, gynecology, neurosurgery, ophthalmology, pulmonary surgery, cardiac surgery, thoracic surgery, urology, dermatology, aesthetics, and vascular surgery, according to the company. Biolase’s diode lasers are used in dentistry for surgical soft-tissue procedures as an alternative to conventional devices,

Dental hygienists key to pilot program in Ind.

A pilot program using dental hygienists to help prevent caries in children from low-income families will be developed and tested in areas of northwestern Indiana that are most in need of dental services. Funded with a $1.3 million grant from the U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration, the program is being led by Angeles Martinez-Mier, DDS, MSD, PhD, an associate professor and director of the Indiana University (IU) School of

HHS releases children’s EHR format

An electronic health record (EHR) format designed specifically for children should help guide EHR developers to understand the types of information that should be included in EHRs for pediatric patients. The new format was announced this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Many existing EHR systems are not tailored to capture or

Dale Dental to offer IdentaAlloy certificates

Dale Dental will provide IdentAlloy certificates to labs ordering Fusion Laser digital porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) understructures to verify the content of restorations. The certificates will ensure desired alloy property outcomes, simplify compliance, and provide doctors and their patients with confidence in the material content of the restorations they received, according to the company. The appropriate IdentAlloy certification is provided free for each of the high-noble, noble, and predominantly base ADA alloy

U.S. firms, lawmakers push repeal of medical device tax

A coalition of medical device manufacturers is supporting lawmakers’ attempts to repeal the new 2.3% medical device excise tax. Two U.S. senators and two representatives have introduced bills to repeal the tax, and the measures have bipartisan support, according to the Medical Imaging and Technology Alliance (MITA). On February 7, Sens. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Medical Device Access and Innovation Protection Act; on February 6,

Mich. may expand Medicaid dental care for kids

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants to expand an initiative that provides dental care for the state’s low-income children. The Republican governor is calling for $11.6 million in the state’s budget to expand the Healthy Kids Dental program, according to an Associated Press story. The plan would cover an additional 70,500 children. The program is partnership between the state’s health department and Delta Dental of Michigan. It provides dental benefits to

Report: Dental implant market to double by 2018

The global market for dental implants is set to almost double in value during the next six years, resulting from technological advances and the growing global elderly population, according to a new report from GBI Research. GBI estimates that the market will grow at an annual rate of 10%, from $3.4 billion in 2011 to $6.6 billion in 2018. Emerging countries such as China, India, and Brazil are expected to be

Dentist to pay hygienists $72K over infection control issues

A Maine dentist has been ordered to pay $72,000 to two former dental hygienists who complained about the office’s infection control procedures. The U.S. Department of Labor filed suit in September against Tammy L. Cook, DMD, who owns Bath Family Dental, after two dental hygienists expressed concerns to Dr. Cook about what they perceived as lapses in infection control procedures, according to a statement by the department. Attempts to resolve the

Obesity linked to higher risk of perio disease

Obesity, which impacts roughly one-third of the U.S. population, has been linked to periodontal disease, according to an article published in the January/February 2013 issue of General Dentistry. Obese individuals’ bodies relentlessly produce cytokines, proteins with inflammatory properties, noted lead author Charlene Krejci, DDS, MSD. These cytokines may directly injure the periodontal tissues or reduce blood flow to these tissues, thus promoting the development of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease itself

New Invisalign material promises better tracking

Align Technology is working to improve orthodontic outcomes and patient compliance with its newest clear aligner material, SmartTrack. The new material also yields better rotations and better extrusions with attachments when compared with the G3 and G4 versions of Invisalign, according to John Morton, director of research and technology at Align. An in-house study of more than 1,000 patients treated with Invisalign aligners made with SmartTrack showed statistically significant improvement

Practitioners team up to provide oral care to Mont. kids

A collaborative effort by dentists, hygienists, school nurses, and the St. Vincent Healthcare Ronald McDonald Care Mobile in Billings, MT, is tackling the issue of access to oral healthcare for children in the area, according to an article in the Billings Gazette. Many had previously been volunteering or doing charity work of their own. Now Jane Gillette, DDS, a dentist and clinical researcher based in Bozeman, has brought them together