UCSF researchers call for sugar to be regulated

Sugar should be controlled like alcohol and tobacco to protect public health, according to a team of researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Robert Lustig, MD; Laura Schmidt, PhD, MSW, MPH; and Claire Brindis, DPH; and colleagues at UCSF maintain that sugar is fueling a global obesity pandemic, contributing to 35 million deaths annually worldwide from noncommunicable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer (Nature, February

Henry Schein CEO talks antibiotics at World Economic Forum

Stanley Bergman, chairman and CEO of Henry Schein, discussed the potential global impact of a world without effective antibiotics before an audience of business, political, academic, and other leaders at the World Economic Forum’s annual meeting in Switzerland. Bergman participated in a public session, entitled “What if all known antibiotics lost their effectiveness?” on January 27. His remarks highlighted the global public health, economic, and social ramifications of the hypothetical

Propel tooth movement system undergoes clinical evaluation

Propel Orthodontics has launched a paid clinical evaluation for its Propel orthodontic system, a microinvasive procedure designed to reduce the time in which teeth are moved. Through a patented process called Osteo-Microperforation, the alveolar bone is stimulated to induce an inflammatory response that accelerates tooth movement in the treated area. When used during active treatment, the length of time required to move teeth has been shown to be reduced by

AAE annual meeting looks forward and back

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is taking a retrospective look at the profession while also showcasing several technological advances during its annual session in Boston, April 18-21, 2012. AAE President William Jonson, DMD, noted the importance of remembering how the profession arrived at where it is today, 65 years after the first AAE meeting, in order to continue to make progress. The programs at the annual session will highlight

Neb. program targets dental visits, oral health

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has launched a new campaign, entitled Watch Your Mouth, that stresses the importance of dental health and the connection between good oral health and overall well-being. The campaign is part of a federal grant that includes TV ads, outdoor billboards, radio public service announcements, educational brochures, and more, all focusing on two key messages: Parents should take their children to see

Wash. lawmakers mull dental therapist bills

Will Washington become the next U.S. state to adopt the midlevel provider (MLP) model? Washington lawmakers will decide in the next few days whether to pass proposed legislation that would allow MLPs to do irreversible procedures with offsite supervision by a dentist. HB 2226 and SB 6126, introduced in early January as revised versions of HB 1310 (which was defeated a year ago but automatically reintroduced in this legislative session),

Is water or air better for flossing?

The Waterpik Water Flosser (Water Pik) is more effective than the Sonicare AirFloss (Philips Electronics) at removing plaque and reducing gingivitis, according to a new study published in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (January 2012, Vol. 23, pp. 22-26). During the four-week study, conducted by BioSci Research Canada, 82 subjects were given the Waterpik Water Flosser or Sonicare AirFloss, plus a manual toothbrush, to use as part of their daily

NYU offers tobacco treatment tool kit for dental providers

The Manhattan Tobacco Cessation Program at the New York University (NYU) School of Medicine has developed a tool kit for dental practitioners who want to help their patients stop smoking. The tool kit, already at use in NYU College of Dentistry’s teaching clinics, will be distributed to dental professionals in New York state and nationwide. It provides concise steps and procedures for treating tobacco use in the dental setting. Available

Glass ionomer sealant outperforms resin-based in study

Partially erupted molars and their plaque-retaining qualities make them particularly tricky for youngsters to maintain. Indeed, the occlusal surface of molars is where 67% to 90% of caries manifest in 5- to 17-year-olds. But a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association comparing a glass ionomer sealant to a resin-based one in partially erupted molars found that the former may be a better choice (JADA, February 2012,

Give Kids A Smile celebrates 10th anniversary

February 2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the ADA’s Give Kids A Smile program and the annual National Children’s Dental Health Month. The former begins on February 3 with dental professionals across the U.S. mobilizing to provide free dental care to approximately 450,000 children and adolescents from underserved families throughout year. This year’s National Children’s Dental Health Month features the slogan Rock Your Smile. The ADA is offering free downloadable

DentalEZ to debut economical handpiece line

DentalEZ Group will unveil its Concentrix high-speed handpiece line by StarDental during the upcoming Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, February 23-25. The new Concentrix family is the company’s line of economical handpieces. Each handpiece is made of stainless steel and contains a lubricated steel-bearing turbine. It also has a water spray feature that enables the user to maintain a cool temperature for both the tooth and bur. In addition, the

Snoring Isn’t Sexy expands dental membership

Snoring Isn’t Sexy has added dentists in Brazil, Mexico, and China to its existing membership base in the U.S., Canada, and Ireland. The company welcomes membership by any dentist in any country who has received training in dental sleep medicine, and is working to translate its website into Portuguese, Spanish, and other languages as the need arises, according to the company.