fiteBac SkinCare promotes nonalcohol hand sanitizer

fiteBac SkinCare has issued an advisory regarding hand sanitizers for dental, medical, and hospital applications. fiteBac SkinCare germicidal hand softening gel is a hand sanitizer designed to encourage and improve hand hygiene compliance in medical and hospital settings. Because of its alcohol-free formulation, the hand sanitizer helps soothe dry, dehydrated hands, unlike traditional alcohol sanitizers, according to the company. fiteBac SkinCare gel reduces transmission of pathogenic microorganisms while helping to

Study quantifies physical strain on hygienists

Ultrasonic scalers reduced the physical workload in some muscles but had little to no effect on muscular rest and percentile load in a group of dental hygienists, according to a study in Applied Ergonomics (December 28, 2011). Researchers from Lund University used electromyography, inclinometry, and goniometry to record the physical workload for 12 female dental hygienists during work. In relation to other types of work, their work was characterized by

Eating problems haunt head/neck cancer survivors

Eating problems due to poor oropharyngeal functioning and persistent pain appear to be the most prevalent problems faced by long-term survivors of head and neck cancer, according to a new study in the Archives of Otolaryngology — Head & Neck Surgery (January 16, 2012). The study, conducted by Gerry Funk, MD, of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, included 337 patients diagnosed with head and neck cancer between January

Komet offers flash polishers for ceramics

Komet has developed the ZR Flash Polishers, designed for restorations fabricated of zirconium oxide, aluminum oxide, lithium disilicate, and pressed ceramics. The polishers feature interspersed diamonds that work in two steps, each of which can be identified by the color of the ZR Flash Polishers and the original ZR Polishers: blue for smoothing and prepolishing and light gray for high-shine final polishing. Available in styles, sizes, and shapes designed specifically

Canadian firm debuts light-based teeth-whitening line

Klox Technologies is partnering with Oral Science to market and distribute Klox’s light-based teeth-whitening products in Canada. Klox’s teeth-whitening products are the first from its suite of biophotonic applications for the aesthetics, dental, dermatological, and tissue regeneration industries to reach the market, according to the company. Klox has signed an exclusive agreement with Oral Science to market the company’s Fast&Mild+ chairside whitening system to approximately 8,500 dental offices in Canada.

Thyroid cancer increasing in the U.S.

Thyroid cancer, which affects about 11 people per 100,000 each year, appears to be on the rise, according to an article in the Indianapolis Star. But medical experts are unsure why. National Cancer Institute statistics suggest that in recent years the number of cases of thyroid cancer has increased by 6.5%, making it the fastest-increasing cancer in the U.S. “Ten years ago if I saw four new thyroid cancer patients

Univ. of Hawaii hygiene students get scholarships

Four University of Hawaii Maui College students have been given scholarships designed for dental assistants who are pursuing careers in dental hygiene and intend to live and work on Maui upon graduation. Andrea Hetherington and Mary Kahaialii received the Maui County Dental Society Scholarship, and Kerilyn Dofa and Maricel Paet were awarded the Donald and Alice Tokunaga Scholarship. The Maui County Dental Society and Sara Jean Tokunaga presented the $500

FDA warns of pain med mix-up

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning healthcare professionals and patients about a potential mix-up between prescription pain drugs and over-the-counter medications. Manufacturing problems at a Novartis manufacturing plant in Nebraska resulted in the possibility that tablets from one product type may have been carried over into packaging of another product, according to the FDA warning. This could result in a stray pill of one medicine ending up

N. Ireland may eliminate free orthodontic care

Most parents in Northern Ireland will be expected to pay for their children’s braces under new proposals designed to reduce pressure on National Health Service (NHS) finances. Under the terms of the proposals, only those children whose teeth fall below the minimum standard would receive free treatment, according to an article on egovmonitor.com. The Northern Ireland Executive has proposed adopting an internationally accepted grading system of 1 to 5, in

Ormco offers productivity advice for orthodontists

Ormco Orthodontics is offering tips to orthodontists to help increase the value of their services. Nearly 70% of adults are interested in improving their smiles, according to Ormco. To capitalize on such patients, orthodontists must remain competitive by understanding their treatment preferences and effectively promoting their practices via social media. Ormco offers these tips for orthodontists: Potential adult patients need to be educated. Approximately 23 million adults are interested in

Can sugar help stop esophageal cancer?

U.K. scientists have identified changes in the patterns of sugar molecules that line precancerous cells in the esophagus (Barrett’s dysplasia), making it easier to detect and remove these cells before they develop into esophageal cancer (Nature Medicine, January 15, 2012). The findings, by researchers at the Medical Research Council, have important implications for patients and may help to monitor their condition and prevent the development of cancer. Esophageal cancer is

Univ. of Manitoba offers implants to 35 homeless

The University of Manitoba has launched a program that will enable 35 homeless individuals to receive dental implants. The Niznick Overdenture Program provides students with an opportunity to work with new implant technology while helping out an underserved population. The Faculty of Dentistry has partnered with Siloam Mission’s health center to offer complete implants at the mission’s clinic. Gerald Niznick, DMD, donated $500,000 to the Faculty of Dentistry to develop