Treacher Collins blamed for Texas boy’s death

The death of a 10-year-old Texas boy following a routine dental procedure last September has been ruled accidental, caused by a genetic disorder that affects the structure of the face. Marcos Tirado’s death was caused by his pre-existing medical condition, Treacher Collins syndrome, also known as mandibulofacial dysostosis, according to a news report on valleycentral.com. The boy had received anesthesia at Harlingen Family Dentistry prior to having a tooth filled.

IAOMT offers dental amalgam phasedown information

The International Academy of Oral Medicine and Toxicology (IAOMT) has launched an educational program to assist countries worldwide with efforts to phase down the use of dental amalgam. The IAOMT and 137 countries participated in a United Nations meeting last month to formalize a treaty to reduce the global use of mercury, with a section specific to dental amalgam, the organization noted in a press release. The new program will

3M ESPE’s Changing Lives campaign a success

For 10 years, dentists have been using the 3M ESPE Filtek Supreme Universal line of dental composite, adding up to more than 400 million restorations placed using the material. This past year, 3M ESPE honored that record with its Changing Lives campaign, in which the company donated one unit of Filtek Supreme Ultra universal dental composite to a dental charity for every four-unit order purchased by a dentist. With the

Some facts about thyroid cancer

Over the past decade, thyroid cancer has become one of the most common cancer diagnoses in the U.S., with 55,000 new cases diagnosed annually. According to Eric Genden, MD, chairman of the otolaryngology/head and neck surgery department at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, those most prone to developing thyroid cancer are women between the ages of 25 and 50. “Early detection is key to the management of this disease,” he

PBS show to spotlight cosmetic dentistry

The PBS television show “In Focus” with Martin Sheen will feature a report on new procedures and materials in cosmetic dentistry. The show, an independently produced television series airing in markets around the U.S., reviews how new technology is being used to improve the quality of life. In the upcoming feature on cosmetic dentistry, “In Focus” will interview American dentists about new procedures and laboratory-produced materials. The dental community is

Start-up seeks funding for all-in-one toothbrush

The company behind UltiBrush, an all-in-one toothbrush that includes toothpaste, floss, mirror, and a protective cap, is working to get the product into the market through the funding platform Kickstarter. UltiBrush is an all-in-one toothbrush that includes toothpaste, floss, mirror, and a protective cap. UltiBrush is an all-in-one toothbrush that includes toothpaste, floss, mirror, and a protective cap. The UltiBrush is good for 40 to 50 uses, sells for $12,

Will ACA prompt some patients to drop dental insurance?

While 5.3 million children will gain dental coverage in 2014 thanks to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), up to 11 million adults could drop their own dental coverage when their children are covered separately, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. And parents who switch to dental coverage under their medical insurance may have to change dentists. Currently, adult and children’s dental plans are mostly sold

Penn Dental unveils new endodontic clinic

The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine has opened the Syngcuk Kim Endodontic Clinic, a new facility for education, research, and clinical care. The clinic, which opened for patient care on January 7, is the first key project of the school’s 10-year master plan for facilities renovations, according to the university. The new facility features 23 chairs, two surgical suites, a consultation room, modular operatories with an operating microscope

The skinny on patient compliance

In my professional experience, the most frustrating thing for dental professionals has always been patient compliance — or should I say noncompliance. As dental professionals, we often look at noncompliance as a lack of concern or accountability by our patients. After all, one would think that people would want to take responsibility for their personal actions and have a genuine interest in their oral health, right? Amazingly, I’ve learned that

Hu-Friedy launches 10th annual ortho wire contest

Hu-Friedy has launched its popular Ortho Wire Bending Contest. For the past decade, Hu-Friedy has been challenging orthodontic residents and practitioners worldwide to showcase their creativity and wire-bending talents during an onsite competition at the annual American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO) show. This year, Hu-Friedy is giving even more practitioners an opportunity to be recognized for their wire-bending creations with a new online component, the Voter’s Choice contest. All submissions

Lab-on-a-chip detects periodontitis pathogens

A new mobile diagnostic platform developed by a team of German researchers can be used in a dental office to analyze DNA collected from teeth and identify the 11 most relevant periodontitis pathogens in less than 30 minutes. Scientists at the Fraunhofer Institute for Cell Therapy and Immunology (IZI) collaborated with BECIT and ERT-Optik to develop ParoChip, a lab-on-a-chip module designed to allow dentists and medical labs to prepare samples

Eco-Dentistry Association to host ‘green’ conference

The Eco-Dentistry Association (EDA) will hold the dental industry’s first conference devoted to environmentally sound dental practices. The event will take place May 3-4, 2013, at the Robert Redford Conference Center in Sundance, UT. Continuing education credits will be available, and attendance is limited to the first 100 registrants, the EDA noted in a press release. The 2013 Green Dentistry Conference will showcase the information and products dental professionals need